U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY— BULLETIN  NO.  92. 

B.  T.  GALLOWAY,  Chief  of  Bureau. 


)ATE  VARIETIES  AND  DATE  CULTURE 

IN  TUNIS. 


BY 


THOMAS  H.  KEARNEY, 
PHYSIOLOGIST,  PLANT  BREEDING  INVESTIGATIONS. 


ISSUED  SEPTEMBER  6,  1906. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT     PRINTING     OFFICE, 
1906. 


BULLETINS  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY.         , 

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[Continued  on  page  3  of  cover.] 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture 


PLATE  I. 


HARVESTING  DEGLET  MOOR  DATES  AT  TOZER. 
(From  a  photograph  by  F.  Soler,  Tunis.) 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 
BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY— BULLETIN  NO.'  92.  ' 

B.  T.  GALLOWAY,  Chief  of  Bureau. 


DATE  VARIETIES  AND  DATE  CULTURE 

IN  TUNIS. 


BY 


THOMAS  H.  KEARNEY, 
PHYSIOLOGIST,  PLANT  BREEDING  INVESTIGATIONS. 


ISSUED  SEPTEMBER  6,  1906. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT     PRINTING     OFFICE 
1906. 


BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY. 

SCIENTIFIC   STAFF. 

Patb&topte'f  and  Physiologist,  and  Chief  of  Bureau,  Beverly  T.  Galloway. 
Pathologist  mid  J'Jii/siologist,  and  Assistant  Chief  of  Bureau,  Albert  F.  Woods. 

PATHOLOGICAL    INVESTIGATIONS. 

Laboratory  of  Plant  Pathology,  Erwln  F.  Smith,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Diseases  of  Fruits,  Merton  B.  Waite,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL    INVESTIGATIONS. 


Plant  Breeding,  Herbert  J.  Webber,  Physiologist  in  Charge. 

Plant  Life  History,  Walter  T.  Swingle,  Physiologist  in  Charge. 

Soil  Bacteriology  and  Water  Purification,  Karl  F.  Kellerman,  Physiologist  in  Charge. 

Bionomic  Investigations  of  Tropical  and  Subtropical  Plants,  Orator  F.  Cook,  Bionomist  in 

Charge. 
Drug  and  Poisonous  Plant  Investigations  and  Tea  Culture  Investigations,  Rodney  H.  True, 

Physiologist  in  Charge. 
Physical  Laboratory,  Lyman  J.  Briggs,  Physicist  in  Charge. 

TAXONOMIC    INVESTIGATIONS. 

Economic  Collections,  Frederick  V.  Coville,  Botanist  in  Charge. 

AGRONOMIC    INVESTIGATIONS. 

Farm  Management,  William  J.  Spillman,  Agriculturist  in  Charge. 
Grain  Investigations,  Mark  A.  Carleton,  Cerealist  in  Charge. 
Arlington  Experimental  Farm,  Lee  C.  Corbett,  Horticulturist  in  Charge. 
Sugar-Beet  Investigations,  Charles  O.  Townsend,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Western  Agricultural  Extension,  Carl  S.  Scofield,  Agriculturist  in  Charge. 
Dry  Land  Agriculture,  E.  Channing  Chilcott,  Expert  in  Charge. 

HORTICULTURAL    INVESTIGATIONS. 

Pomological  Collections,  Gustavus  B.  Brackett,  Pomologist  in  Charge. 

Field  Investigations  in  Pomology,  William  A.  Taylor  and  G.  Harold  Powell,  Pomologists 

in  Charge. 
Experimental  Gardens  and  Grounds,  Edward  M.  Byrnes,  Superintendent. 

SEED   AND   PLANT    INTRODUCTION    INVESTIGATIONS. 

Seed  and  Plant  Introduction  and  Distribution,  Adrian  J.  Pieters  and   David   Fairchild, 


in  Charge. 

y,  Edgi 

SPECIAL    LABORATORIES,    GARDENS,   AND   FARMS. 


Seed  Laboratory,  Edgar  Brown,  Botanist  in 


AGBiC.  DEFY* 


Mississippi  Valley  Laboratory,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Hermann  von  Schrenk,  Expert  in  Charge. 
Subtropical  Laboratory  and  Garden,  Miami,  Fla.,  Ernst  A.  Bessey,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Plant  Introduction  Gardens,  Chico,  Cal.,  Palemon  H.  Dorsett,  Pathologist  in  Charge. 
Cotton  Culture  Farms,  Seaman  A.  Knapp,  Lake  Charles,  La.,  Special  Agent  in  Charge. 


Editor,  J.  E.  Rockwell. 
Chief  Clerk,  James  E.  Jones. 


SEED   AND   PLANT   INTRODUCTION    AND   DISTRIBUTION. 

SCIENTIFIC    STAFF. 

A.  J.  Pieters,  Botanist  in  Charge. 

David  Fairchild,  Agricultural  Explorer,  in  Charge  of  Foreign  Explorations. 

W.  W.  Tracy,  sr.,  Superintendent  of  Testing  Gardens. 

John  E.  W.  Tracy,  Assistant  Superintendent  of  Testing  Gardens,  in  Charge  of  Congres- 
sional Seed  Distribution. 

O.  W.  Barrett,  Assistant. 

George  W.  Oliver,  Expert. 

C.  V.  Piper,  Agrostologist,  in  Charge  of  Forage-Crop  Investigations. 

J.  M.  Westgate,  Assistant  Agrostologist,  in  Charge  of  Alfalfa  and  Clover  Introduction. 

W.  W.  Tracy,  jr.,  Assistant  Botanist. 

Frank  N.  Meyer,  Agricultural  Explorer. 

Charles  F.  Wheeler,  Expert. 

A.  B.  Connor,  Special  Agent. 

Nickolas  Schmitz,  Special  Agent. 

John  H.  Tull,  Special  Agent,  in  Charge  of  Matting-Rush  Investigations. 

Harold  T.  Nielsen,  Scientific  Assistant  in  Agronomy. 
92 

2 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF  PLANT  INDUSTRY, 

OFFICE  OF  THE  CHIEF, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  March  1,  1906. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith,  and  to  recommend 
for  publication  as  Bulletin  No.  92  of  the  series  of  this  Bureau,  the 
accompanying  manuscript,  entitled  "  Date  Varieties  and  Date  Cul- 
ture in  Tunis,"  by  Thomas  H.  Kearney,  Physiologist,  Plant  Breed- 
ing Investigations. 

The  importance  of  this  bulletin  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  presents  a 
key  to  the  principal  varieties  of  date  palms — the  first  available  to 
Americans  interested  in  this  fruit.  It  gives,  further,  an  accurate 
picture  of  the  conditions  under  which  profitable  date  culture  is  car- 
ried on  in  the  northern  edge  of  the  Sahara,  and  can  not  fail  to  be  of 
value  to  all  prospective  date  growers. 

Acknowledgment  is  made  of  the  courteous  cooperation  uniformly 
extended  to  Mr.  Kearney  by  the  authorities  during  his  stay  in  Tunis. 
The  valuable  assistance  rendered  him  by  M.  Hugon,  director  of 
agriculture  and  commerce,  and  by  MM.  Chervin,  Minangoin,  and 
Tellier,  of  the  direction  of  agriculture,  as  well  as  by  the  controleurs 
civils  at  Tozer,  Gafsa,  Sfax,  and  Gabes,  and  by  the  caids  of  Tozer 
and  Kebili,  should  be  especially  mentioned.  The  hospitality  ex- 
tended by  Captain  Donau,  commandant  superieur  at  Kebili,  and  the 
great  service  rendered  by  him  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in 
having  collected,  prepared,  and  forwarded  to  Tozer  175  offshoots 
of  the  best  varieties  found  in  the  Nefzaoua,  merit  especial  acknowl- 
edgment. Prof.  Milton  Whitney,  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Soils,  and 
Drs.  F.  K.  Cameron  and  L.  J.  Briggs,  of  that  Bureau,  obligingly 
cooperated  in  furnishing  mechanical  analyses  of  the  soil  samples 
collected  and  chemical  analyses  of  the  soil  and  water  samples. 

This  paper  has  been  submitted  by  the  Botanist  in  Charge  of  Seed 
and  Plant  Introduction  and  Distribution,  and  was  prepared  as  a 
result  of  Mr.  Kearney's  expedition  to  the  oases  of  Tunis  in  search 
of  new  varieties  of  dates. 

The  illustrations  which  accompany  this  paper  are  considered  essen- 
tial to  a  full  understanding  of  the  text. 

Respectfully,  B.  T.  GALLOWAY, 

Chief  of  Bureau. 

Hon.  JAMES  WILSON, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 
92 

343333 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Introduction _ 9 

Characteristics  of  the  region  _ _ 11 

Geography 11 

The  Jerid 11 

The  Nef zaoua 17 

Gabes 19 

Gafsa 20 

Climate 21 

Temperature 21 

Atmospheric  humidity  _ _  _ 26 

Precipitation _._ ...._ 27 

Irrigation  and  drainage _ _ .  28 

Water  supply _  _  _ 28 

Irrigation  system 31 

Drainage  system 33 

Soils  of  the  Jerid  region 33 

Texture 33 

Fertility .'_.. 35 

Alkali 36 

Culture  of  the  date  palm _ 41 

Size  and  value  of  the  gardens _  _ 41 

Labor  and  tenantry  system 42 

Propagation 43 

Preparing  the  land  _ 45 

Planting 46 

Irrigating 47 

Manuring .... 49 

Other  cultural  methods 50 

Pollination  and  male  palms _  _ 50 

Ripening 51 

Harvesting _ 52 

Preserving _ 54 

Varieties  of  the  date  palm  in  Tunis . - 55 

Descriptions  of  the  varieties 60 

Varieties  of  primary  importance  . ..  -  -  60 

Soft  dates .... 60 

Dry  dates  _.. 71 

Varieties  of  secondary  importance 74 

Dry  dates '_ 74 

Soft  dates .-  76 

Varieties  of  minor  importance 82 

Drydates 82 

Soft  dates 84 

Varieties  imported  but  not  included  in  the  key 90 

Varieties  included  in  the  key  but  not  imported 92 

Descriptive  key  to  the  characters  of  the  fruits 94 

Synopsis  of  the  groups 96 

Key  to  the  varieties _ 97 

Index 107 

Description  of  plates 112 

92 

5 


LLUSTRATIONS. 


PLATES. 

Page. 

PLATE  I.  Harvesting  Deglet  Noor  dates  at  Tozer Frontispiece. 

II.  Fig.  1.— Alkali  land  in  the  midst  of  Tozer  oasis.  Fig.  2.— Work- 
ing the  soil  of  a  date  garden  with  the  "messah,"  or  short- 
handled  hoe 112 

III.  Date  palm  showing  ;'  straddling  "  of  fruit  cluster  to  prevent  the 

breaking  of  the  stalk  ...-. 112 

IV.  Fig.  1. — Tronja  palm  showing  characteristic  drooping,  curved 

leaves.     Fig.  2. — A  typical  male  date  palm  showing  numerous 

leaves 112 

V.  Fig.  1. — Menakher  palm  with  numerous  small  suckers.    Fig.  2. — 

Old  Menakher  palm  with  two  large  fruiting  suckers . .  _       112 

VI.  Fig.  1.— Deglet  Noor  palm.     Fig.  2.— Lagoo  palm.     Fig.  3.— The 

town  of  Nefta,  with  date  garden  in  left  foreground 112 

VII.  Fig.  1.— Fteemy  palms,  El  Oudiane.  Fig.  2.— Plantation  of  6- 
year-old  date  palms  at  Nefta.  A  Fteemy  palm  in  the  fore- 
ground : 112 

VIII.  Dates,  natural  size:  1,  Deglet  Noor  variety:  2,  Menakher  variety.       112 

IX.  Dates,  natural  size:  1,  Tronja  variety;  2,  Boo  Affar  variety 112 

X.  Dates,  natural  size:  1,  Horra  variety;  2,  Kenta  variety;  3,  Fteemy 

variety;  4,  Mokh  Begry  variety 112 

TEXT   FIGURES. 

FIG.  1.  Map  showing  the  location  of  the  Tunis  oases  with  respect  to  other 

localities  in  Algeria  and  Tunis .  _ . ...        12 

2.  Irrigation  canal  and  diversion  dam ,  Tozer  oasis 31 

3.  Laborer  holding  a  ' '  messah , "  or  short-  handled  hoe 44 

4.  Date-picker  holding  a  "  mengel,"  or  straight-bladed  sickle,  used  for 

cutting  off  the  bunches  of  dates  _  _ 44 

5.  Camel  carrying  date  offshoots  wrapped  in  palm  fiber  (leef)  for 

transportation 45 

6.  Outlines  of  Menakher  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 61 

7.  Outlines  of  Deglet  Noor  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 63 

8.  Outlines  of  Boo  Affar  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 66 

9.  Outlines  of  Tronja  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 67 

10.  Outlines  of  Boo  Fagoos  seed  and  fruit.     ( Natural  size) 67 

11.  Tafazween  seeds  and  fruits.     (Natural  size) 68 

12.  Outlines  of  Fteemy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 69 

13.  Outlines  of  Areshty  seed  and  fruit.     Natural  size) _ .  71 

14.  Outlines  of  Horra  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 72 

92 

7 


ILLUSTKATIONS. 


FIQ.  15.  Outlines  of  Kenta  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 73 

16.  Outlines  of  Angoo  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 74 

17.  Outlines  of  Thaby  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 75 

18.  Outlines  of  Lemsy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) _ 75 

19.  Outlines  of  Halooa  Bayda  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) .  _ 76 

20.  Outlines  of  Mokh  Begry  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 76 

21.  Outlines  of  Baydh  Hammam  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) '77 

22.  Outlines  of  Kseba  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 77 

23.  Outlines  of  Doonga  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 78 

24.  Outlines  of  Besser  Haloo  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 78 

25.  Outlines  of  Okht  Fteemy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 79 

26.  Outlines  of  Rhars  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 79 

27.  Outlines  of  Lagoo  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size)' _  80 

28.  Outlines  of  Zekry  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 81 

29.  Outlines  of  Khalt  Mooashein  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 81 

30.  Outlines  of  Khalt  Deglaowia  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 82 

81.  Outlines  of  Khalt  Horraowia  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 82 

32.  Outlines  of  Bayjoo  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 83 

33.  Outlines  of  Remta  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 83 

34.  Outlines  of  Hamra  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) _  _ 84 

35.  Outlines  of  Kenteeshy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 84 

36.  Outlines  of  Tantaboosht  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size)  _  _  _ _  85 

87.  Outlines  of  Tozer  Zaid  Safra  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 85 

38.  Outlines  of  Tozer  Zaid  Khala  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 85 

39.  Outlines  of  Sayba  Boo  Dra  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) _  86 

40.  Outlines  of  Kharooby  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) _  86 

41.  Outlines  of  Gasby  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) _  _ 87 

42.  Outlines  of  Bent  Segny  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 87 

43.  Outlines  of  Ammary  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 88 

44.  Outlines  of  Goondy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 88 

45.  Outlines  of  Karooy  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 89 

46.  Outlines  of  Iteema  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 89 

47.  Outlines  of  Khalt  Hameed  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 89 

48.  Outlines  of  Chedakh  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 92 

49.  Outlines  of  Deglet  Hamidatoo  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 92 

50.  Outlines  of  Deglet  Hassen  seed  and  fruit.     ( Natural  size) 92 

51.  Outlines  of  Khalt  Menakhry  seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size) 93 

52.  Selatny  seed  and  fruits.     (Natural  size) 93 


B.  P.  I.— 302. 


DATE  VARIETIES  AND  DATE  CULTURE  IN 

TUNIS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

During  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1904-5,  while  traveling  as  agri- 
cultural explorer  for  the  Office  of  Seed  and  Plant  Introduction  and 
Distribution,  the  writer,  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  W.  T.  Swingle, 
made  two  trips  to  the  oases  of  southern  Tunis  in  order  to  study  the 
varieties  of  the  date  palm  grown  there  and  to  secure  offshoots  of  the 
more  promising  sorts  for  introduction  into  the  United  States.  The 
first  visit  was  made  in  October  and  November,  the  period  when  the 
fruits  of  most  of  the  varieties  are  ripening  and  when  the  harvest  is 
in  full  progress.  On  that  occasion  six  weeks  were  spent  in  the  more 
important  oases,  and  a  careful  study  of  the  chief  varieties  was  made. 
This  was  considered  an  essential  preliminary  to  selecting  varieties 
for  importation,  as  very  little  has  been  done  by  Europeans  in  study- 
ing the  characters  of  the  almost  innumerable  varieties  of  the  date 
palm  and  in  ascertaining  the  relative  merits  of  the  different  kinds. 

Nowhere,  perhaps,  does  a  greater  number  of  promising  varieties 
'occur  within  a  restricted  area  than  in  these  Tunis  oases,  and  the 
opportunity  for  comparison  of  widely  differing  types  was  an  excep- 
tionally good  one.  In  the  course  of  the  investigations  a  collection 
of  97  samples,  representing  93  distinct  varieties,  was  obtained.  De- 
scriptions of  105  varieties  were  drawn  up  on  the  spot  from  freshly 
gathered  fruits,  and  in  many  cases  the  characters  of  the  palms 
themselves  were  noted.  The  fruits  of  85  varieties  were  photo- 
graphed in  naturj^ize,  and  photographs  of  the  trees  of  34  varieties 
were  made.  vfk 

Much  informaM^jras  obtained  regarding  the  fruits  of  the  dif- 
ferent%  varieties,  H^Fsize,  appearance,  sweetness,  flavor,  time  of 
ripening,  producti|Bss,  and  keeping  qualities.  The  season  chosen 
for  the  visit  allowej  the  interesting  process  of  harvesting  the  dates 
to  be  observed.  Attention  was  also  paid  to  the  subjects  of  irriga- 
tion, cultural  methods,  and  of  saline  or  "  alkali "  soils  in  relation  to 
the  date  palm. 

92 

9 


10  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

As  a  result  of  the  first  visit  to  the  oases,  it  was  possible  for  the 
writer  to  decide  upon  the  varieties  that  seemed  most  desirable  for 
introduction  into  the  southwestern  United  States.  To  procure  these 
varieties  a  second  trip  to  the  region  was  made  for  the  Office  of  Seed 
and  Plant  Introduction  and  Distribution  in  February,  1905,  and  three 
weeks  were  spent  in  collecting  and  packing  the  offshoots.  In  all 
about  TOO  offshoots,  representing  56  varieties,  were  obtained,  and  it 
required  a  caravan  of  90  camels  to  transport  them  to  the  railway. 

The  importation  of  so  large  a  number  of  varieties  was  thought 
desirable,  because  it  was  recognized  that  date  culture  in  the  United 
States  is  still  in  the  experimental  stage,  and  it  is  impossible  to  fore- 
see as  yet  what  varieties  will  prove  most  satisfactory.  It  is  quite 
possible  that  some  of  those  which  thrive  best  and  are  most  esteemed 
in  their  native  countries  will  not  succeed  with  us.  On  the  other  hand, 
varieties  that  are  less  esteemed  at  home  may  develop  valuable  quali- 
ties when  transplanted  to  this  continent.  Furthermore,  in  view  of 
the  great  diversity  of  climate  and  soil  existing  in  the  parts  of  the 
United  States  where  •  date  culture  is  possible,  it  seems  altogether 
probable  that  different  kinds  will  be  found  adapted  to  different  sec- 
tions. In  that  case  the  existence  at  some  few  central  points  in  the 
Southwest  of  large  collections  of  varieties  will  prove  to  be  of  cardinal 
importance  in  the  development  of  this  promising  industry. 

For  these  reasons,  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  few  suckers  of 
every  well-marked  variety  of  any  value,  while,  of  course,  especial 
endeavor  was  directed  to  securing  a  larger  number  of  each  of  the 
finest  and  most  highly  esteemed  sorts.  In  a  few  cases  the  latter  aim 
was  not  realized,  owing  to  the  rarity  of  the  palms  and  the  reluctance 
of  the  natives  to  part  with  the  suckers.  Of  the  superb  Menakher 
date,  for  example,  one  of  the  principal  objects  of  the  expedition, 
only  nine  offshoots  could  be  obtained,  and  most  of  these  were  smaller 
than  could  be  wished.  Yet  at  least  a  few  offshoots  were  imported 
of  all  but  one  variety  of  primary  value,  and  only  two  or  three  of  the 
varieties  that  were  regarded  as  of  secondary  value  are  wanting  in 
the  collection.  It  might  be  added  that  at  the  time  of  writing  (Oc- 
tober 1,  1905)  from  75  to  95  per  cent  of  the  palms  imported  from 
Tunis  six  months  previously  are  showing  signs  of  growth  in  the 
different  plantations  in  Arizona  and  California. 

The  chief  object  of  the  present  report  is  to  furnish  descriptions 
of  the  Tunisian  varieties  imported  into  the  United  States,  so  that 
they  can  be  identified  hereafter.  It  is  recognized  that  owing  to  the 
large  number  of  varieties  that  have  been  introduced  during  the  past 
five  years  much  confusion  in  regard  to  the  identity  of  the  different 
sorts  is  likely  to  arise  unless  some  attempt  is  made  to  place  their 
characters  upon  record.  To  this  end  a  descriptive  key  has  been 

92 


GEOGRAPHY    OF    THE   JERID.  11 

worked  out,  which  it  is  believed  will  be  found  useful  in  identifying 
the  Tunisian  varieties.  As  nothing  of  the  kind  has  heretofore  been 
attempted  so  far  as  the  date  palm  is  concerned,  it  is  hoped  that,  be- 
sides fulfilling  its  immediate  object,  this  key  will  afford  suggestions 
as  to  the  characters  that  are  most  serviceable  in  distinguishing  the 
varieties  and  will  serve  as  a  basis  for  future  studies. 

To  supplement  the  descriptions  contained  in  the  key,  each  of  the 
varieties  imported  is  discussed  under  the  headings  "  Varieties  of 
primary  importance,"  "  Varieties  of  secondary  importance,"  "  Va- 
rieties of  minor  importance,"  and  "  Varieties  imported  but  not  in- 
cluded in  the  key,"  with  respect  to  the  quality  of  the  fruit,  time  of 
ripening,  productiveness,  trunk  and  foliage  characters,  resistance  to 
alkali,  etc. 

As  an  introduction  to  the  study  of  the  varieties,  the  important 
geographical  and  climatic  features  of  the  region  are  treated, 'together 
with  the  character  of  the  water  supply  and  the  cultural  methods 
in  use. 

CHARACTERISTICS   OF  THE  REGION. 
GEOGRAPHY. 

The  principal  oases  of  southern  Tunis,  in  which  the  date  palm 
is  the  chief  culture,  form  four  distinct  groups,  the  Jerid,  the  Nef- 
zaoua,  Gabes,  and  Gafsa,  each  group  being  separated  from  the  others 
by  wide  expanses  of  desert.  (See  fig.  1.)  Each  group  differs  in 
many  important  features  from  the  others,  having  its  special  peculiar- 
ities of  climate,  soil,  and  water  supply,  as  well  as  its  characteristic 
varieties  of  dates. 

The  Jerid  is  for  us  by  far  the  most  important  group  of  oases,  for 
there  are  found  in  perfection  some  of  the  finest  varieties  of  the  date 
palm  in  the  world.  It  is  the  only  part  of  Tunis  in  which  the  choice 
Deglet  Noor  dates  are  produced  in  large  quantity  for  European  mar- 
kets, exporting  annually  from  one  and  one-half  to  two  and  one-half 
million  pounds  of  them.  This  report,  therefore,  deals  chiefly  with 
the  Jerid  oases.  A  brief  account  of  each  of  the  other  groups  is  given 
in  the  present  chapter,  but  the  discussions  of  climate,  water  supply, 
soils,  and  culture  of  the  date  palm  apply  almost  solely  to  the  Jerid. 
When  reference  is  made  to  some  other  region,  it  is  especially  des- 
ignated. 

THE    JERID. 

The  name  "  Jerid  "  (French  spelling,  Djerid)  is  an  abbreviation 
of  "  Beled-el-Jerid  " — the  "  cities  of  date  palms."  The  group  con- 
sists of  four  oases — Nefta,  Tozer,  El  Oudiane,  and  El  Hamma — sep- 

92 


12 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


arated  one  from  another  by  several  miles  of  barren,  sandy,  or  stony 
desert.  They  lie  at  the  northern  edge  of  the  Sahara  Desert,  nestling 
at  the  foot  of  a  line  of  cliffs  that  forms  the  north  bank  of  the  Shott 
Jerid.  The  Shott,  which  is  about  68  miles  long  from  west  to  east,  is 
in  winter  a  large,  shallow  salt  lake,  and  in  summer  a  mud  flat,  covered 
toward  its  center  with  a  shining  white  crust  of  salt,  much  resembling, 
therefore,  the  Salton  Sink  in  southeastern  California^  Its  mean  ele- 
vation is  about  TO  feet  above  sea  level.  Toward  the  northwest  it 
opens  into  the  Shott  Gharsa,  continued  still  farther  westward  as  the 


BoaSaac  iK^ 


S   A     HL 


AN        S\    E    A 


"CONSTANTINE 


TUNIS 


R 


I 


A 


ugoizrt 


R  A 


D    E     S 


E    R    T 


'Ouargla 


FIG.  1.— Map  showing  the  location  of  the  Tunis  oases  with  respect  to  other  localities  in  Algeria 

and  Tunis. 

Shott  Melrhirh,  which  borders  the  Oued  Rirh  oases  of  Algeria." 
Beyond  the  easternmost  of  the  Jerid  oases  the  Shott  Jerid  contracts 
into  a  strait,  which  connects  it  with  the  much  narrower  Shott-el- 
Fejej.  The  latter  extends  eastward  to  within  a  few  miles  of  the  sea, 
near  Gabes. 

Near  its  western  end  the  Shott  Jerid  is  bordered  on  the  north  by  a 
barren,  rocky  line  of  bluffs  of  the  pliocene  formation,  which  farther 

a  See  Bui.  80,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  1905, 
p.  18. 
92 


GEOGRAPHY   OF   THE   JERID.  13 

east  rises  into  the  Jebel  Sherb  range  of  mountains.  This  escarpment, 
known  as 'the  Draa-el-Jerid,  runs  nearly  east  and  west.  West  of 
Nefta  it  ends  in  a  promontory  extending  between  the  Shott  Jerid  and 
the  Shott  Gharsa.  It  is  virtually  the  southern  edge  of  an  arid,  gen- 
erally stony  plain,  almost  devoid  of  vegetation,  which  extends  north- 
ward to  Gafsa  and  beyond,  rising  gradually  into  the  elevated  plateau 
of  central  Tunis.  This  plain  is  intersected  by  desolate  ranges  of 
hills  and  by  deep  ravines  that  contain  water  only  at  long,  irregular 
intervals. 

At  the  southern  base  of  the  Draa-el-Jerid  bluffs,  and  sloping  toward 
the  Shott  Jerid,  lie  the  three  oases  of  Nefta,  Tozer,  and  El  Oudiane, 
the  first  being  the  westernmost.  Tozer  is  15  miles  east  of  Nefta  and 
El  Oudiane  about  6  miles  east  of  Tozer.  These  three  oases  are  well 
sheltered  from  the  north  wind  by  the  terrace  behind  them,  but  lie 
open  to  the  south.  On  the  other  hand,  El  Hamma,  5^  miles  north 
of  Tozer,  lies  on  the  northwestern  side  of  the  Draa-el-Jerid,  having 
the  Shott  Gharsa  to  the  west,  and  while  protected  on  the  south  and 
east  sides  it  is  much  exposed  toward  the  north  and  west. 

In  general  aspect  all  four  oases  are  much  alike.  They  consist  of 
almost  unbroken  forests  of  date  palms,  divided  up  into  many  gar- 
dens that  are  separated  by  mud  walls  and  intersected  by  innumerable 
irrigation  and  drainage  ditches.  The  total  number  of  date  palms  in 
the  region,  is  variously  estimated  at  from  600,000  to  1,000,000.  It 
has  been  estimated  °  that  the  average  annual  production  of  dates  in 
the  Jerid  is  about  34,700,000  pounds,  of  which  somewhat  more  than 
5  per  cent  are  of  the  Deglet  Noor  variety.  (See  p.  63.)  Of  the 
total  product  of  other  varieties,  about  one-third  is  consumed  on  the 
spot,  the  rest  being  exported  to  various  parts  of  northern  Africa. 

In  the  shade  of  the  palms  (Pis.  I;  V,  fig.  2,  and  VI)  are  grown 
many  other  kinds  of  fruit  trees — oranges,  olives,  figs,  apricots, 
peaches,  pomegranates,  and  jujubes — interlaced  with  large  grape- 
vines that  often  hang  in  festoons  from  the  palm  trunks.  Beneath 
the  trees  are  small  plots  of  garden  vegetables,  barley,  and  alfalfa. 
Neither  date  palms  nor  other  trees  are  planted  with  any  regularity, 
and  the  growth  is  often  so  dense  that  the  garden  resembles  a  tropical 
j  ungle. 

Very  beautiful  are  these  gardens  in  the  spring,  when  the  apricot 
and  peach  trees  are  in  blossom  here  and  there  among  the  palms  and 
the  figs  and  vines  are  putting  forth  their  leaves.  In  autumn,  when 
the  dates  are  ripening,  the  color  effects,  especially  when  the  tops  of 
the  palms  are  lit  up  by  the  last  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  are  some- 

o  By  Dollin  du  Fresnel,  Le  Djerid  Tunisien.     Bui.  de  la  Soc.  de  Geogr.  Comm. 
22:  38  (1900). 
92 


14  DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

thing  that  once  seen  can  never  be  forgotten.  The  great  clusters  of 
fruit,  displaying  every  tint  from  bright  yellow,  through  orange, 
vermilion,  and  maroon,  to  plum  purple  and  chestnut  brown,  with 
their  brilliant  yellow  or  rich  orange  ivory-like  stalks,  contrast  su- 
perbly with  the  dull  bluish  or  gray  green  of  the  feathery  crowns  of 
foliage.  It  is  small  wonder  that  a  whole  folklore  of  poetic  legends 
and  proverbs  has  grown  up  around  the  date  palm  in  the  regions 
where  it  flourishes.0 

The  oases,  especially  Nefta,  were  formerly  much  exposed  to  the 
encroachment  of  the  wind-blown  sand  of  the  desert,  but  since  the 
French  occupation  the  forestry  service  has  taken  effective  measures 
to  protect  them  from  this  danger.  Around  each  oasis,  at  a  distance 
from  the  edge  of  the  gardens  generally  of  1,000  feet,  although  vary- 
ing according  to  circumstances,  a  mud  wall,  surmounted  by  a  fence 
of  palm  leaves,  has  been  erected.  The  sand  drifts  against  this,  form- 
ing an  artificial  dune  sloping  outward.  As  fast  as  this  dune  increases 
in  height,  the  palisade  is  built  higher.  The  slopes  of  the  dune 
itself  are  planted  with  tamarisks,  retain,  and  other  desert  shrubs 
suitable  for  binding  the  sand.  The.  zone  between  the  palisade  and  the 
gardens  is  strictly  forbidden  to  the  domestic  animals  that  were 
formerly  pastured  there,  as  they  kept  the  soil  in  a  loose  condition 
and  prevented  the  growth  of  the  natural  vegetation  that  helps  to  hold 
it  in  place.  At  the  most  exposed  points  a  series  of  outer  palisades, 
erected  at  regular  intervals,  arrests  a  good  part  of  the  sand  before  it 
can  reach  the  barrier  which  is  nearest  the  gardens. 

a  A  number  of  these  legends  and  beliefs  are  related  by  Charlet  (Les  Palmiers 
du  Mzab,  Bui.  Soc.  G6ogr.  d'Alger,  1905.  Mohammed  enjoined  the  care 
of  the  date  palm  as  an  almost  religious  duty,  saying,  "The  palm  is  your 
aunt — the  sister  of  your  father  Adam."  He  also  spoke  of  the  date  as  "  the 
only  fruit  which  has  in  heaven  the  same  flavor  as  upon  earth,"  and  described 
in  these  glowing  terms  the  palms  that  grow  in  paradise:  "Trunks  of  gold, 
spathes  of  gold,  branches  of  gold,  leaves  of  gold,  stalks  of  gold,  petals  of  gold, 
fruits  as  large  as  buckets,  softer  than  butter,  sweeter  than  honey."  Another 
Arab  poet  imagined  thus  the  dates  of  paradise :  "  They  will  be  whiter  than 
milk,  more  transparent  than  honey,  softer  than  butter;  they  will  have  no 
stones."  The  origin  of  the  date  palm  is  often  the  theme  of  Mohammedan 
writers.  "  When  God  had  shaped  Adam's  body  with  his  hands,  a  little  of  the 
earth  which  He  had  used  to  fashion  in  his  image  our  first  father  stuck  to  his 
fingers.  He  rolled  it  between  his  hands,  making  from  it  the  trunk  of  the 
palm."  The  Arabs  profess  to  see  many  points  of  resemblance  between  the  date 
palm  and  man,  its  friend  and  ally.  "  Like  man,  it  holds  up  its  head;  like  man, 
it  has  a  companion  of  a  different  sex.  Its  heart  (terminal  bud),  immaculately 
white,  is  as  tender  and  delicate  as  the  brain  of  a  man,  the  least  hurt  causing 
its  death.  Like  man,  it  fears  cold.  If  one  of  its  branches  be  cut  off,  it  does 
not  grow  out  again,  and  thus  is  like  a  man's  limb.  If  one  cuts  off  its  head,  it 
dies.  The  fiber  (leef)  that  surrounds  its  head  resembles  human  hair."  Tho 
little  circle,  about  1.5  millimeters  in  diameter,  that  is  found  on  the  back  of  the 
stone  is  believed  to  be  the  impress  of  the  seal  of  Solomon. 

92 


GEOGRAPHY   OF   THE   JERID.  15 

The  Jerid  region  was  evidently  occupied  by  the  Romans,  and  frag- 
ments of  structures  belonging  to  their  epoch  are  frequently  met  with. 
Both  Nefta  (Nepte)  and  Tozer  (Thusuros)  are  situated  on  or  near 
the  site  of  ancient  Roman  towns.  Although  frequently  harried  and 
pillaged  by  the  nomadic  Arabs  and  by  other  wild  tribes  of  the  desert, 
the  oases  of  the  Jerid  have  been,  so  far  as  we  know,  in  a  continuous 
state  of  cultivation  throughout  the  Christian  era.  An  Arab  author 
of  the  eleventh  century  celebrated  in  glowing  terms  their  fertility 
of  soil  and  the  beauty  of  their  dense  forests  of  date  palms.  "  No  other 
place  in  Africa,"  he  wrote,  "  produces  so  many  dates." 

Until  the  completion  of  the  railway  from  Sfax,  on  the  east  coast 
of  Tunis,  to  the  rich  phosphate  mines  a  few  miles  to  the  west  of 
Gafsa  (see  map,  fig.  1),  the  main  artery  of  communication  of  the 
Jerid  with  the  coast  was  the  road,  or  rather  trail,  across  the  Shott 
Jerid,  through  the  oases  of  the  Nefzaoua,  and  then  along  the  southern 
bank  of  the  Shott-el-Fejej  to  Gabes,  the  total  distance  from  Tozer 
to  Gabes  being  about  120  miles.  All  the  dates  at  that  time  exported 
from  the  Jerid  to  Europe  had  to  be  carried  over  this  road  by  caravan. 
Now,  however,  Tozer  is  only  about  35  miles  from  the  end  of  the  rail- 
way, and  communication  with  the  outside  world  is  comparatively 
easy. 

The  total  population  of  the  Jerid  oases  is  about  30,000,  Tozer  and 
Nefta  each  counting  about  9,000  inhabitants.  Practically  this  entire 
population  is  supported  by  date  culture,  as  the  other  agricultural 
products  of  the  oases  are  of  so  little  importance  as  to  be  almost 
negligible  and  only  a  very  small  fraction  of  the  population  sup- 
ports itself  by  manufacturing  various  fabrics. 

Nefta,  the  most  western  oasis  of  the  Jerid,  is  said  to  occupy  over 
6,000  acres.  The  number  of  date  palms  it  contains  is  variously  esti- 
mated at  from  180,000  to  385,000,  of  which  only  14,000  are  said  to  be 
of  the  Deglet  Noor  variety."  The  oasis  consists  of  two  distinct  parts ; 
on  the  north  a  deep  basin,  called  by  the  French  the  "  Corbeille  " 
(basket),  in  which  arise  the  springs  that  water  the  gardens,  and  on 
the  south  the  fan-shaped  larger  portion,  extending  to  the  low  salt 
flats  that  fringe  the  Shott  Jerid.  The  town  of  Nefta  (PI.  VI,  fig.  3), 
the  holy  city  of  southern  Tunis,  lies  between  the  two  segments  of  the 
oasis  and  is  itself  separated  into  two  parts  by  a  deep'ravine  (shown  in 
the  foreground  of  PL  VI,  fig.  3).  Through  this  ravine  runs  the 
stream  that  carries  the  waters  of  the  springs  from  the  "  basket " 
to  the  lower  part  of  the  oasis.  The  palms  that  occupy  the  "  basket " 
are  of  unusual  beauty.  It  is  said  that  a  few  years  ago  an  English 

«  But  by  the  same  authority  the  total  number  of  all  kinds  is  given  as  only 
180,000. 

92 


16  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

company  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  purchase  this  part  of  the 
oasis.0 

Better  sheltered  as  it  is  than  Tozer,  especially  on  the  north,  and 
said  to  possess  a  more  fertile  soil,  Nefta  is  well  situated  for  date 
growing,  and  its  palms  yield  fruit  of  high  quality.  Its  gardens  are 
celebrated  for  their  beauty,  containing  many  orange,  apricot,  fig,  and 
other  fruit  trees,  in  addition  to  the  date  palms,  which  are  largely  of 
choice  varieties.  More  vegetables,  grain,  and  alfalfa  (PL  VII, 
fig.  2)  are  grown  here  than  in  the  other  oases  of  the  Jerid.  On  the 
side  toward  the  Shott  new  palm  gardens  are  being  established  (PL 
VII,  fig.  2)  and  are  planted  as  far  as  possible  to  the  Deglet  Noor 
variety. 

Tozer  oasis  lies  about  15  miles  east  of  Nefta.  The  oasis  proper 
extends  eastward  and  southward  from  the  town  of  Tozer,  which, 
like  all  the  towns  of  the  Jerid,  occupies  high,  open  ground  outside 
the  gardens.  It  is  the  political  capital  of  the  Jerid  region.  The 
elevation  of  the  town  above  sea  level  is  about  153  feet,  but  the  oasis 
is  several  feet  lower.  The  area  of  this  oasis  is  variously  given  as 
2,650,  5,400,  and  7,400  acres,  but  it  is  probably  larger  than  that  of 
Nefta.  Different  authorities  state  the  number  of  palms  contained 
in  this  oasis  at  from  250,000  to  417,000,  of  which  only  about  14,000 
are  of  the  Deglet  Noor  variety.  The  gardens  of  Tozer  differ  from 
those  of  Nefta  in  the  smaller  development  of  subsidiary  cultures. 
The  chief  fruit  trees,  other  than  date  palms,  are  figs  and  pome- 
granates. 

The  oasis  of  El  Oudiane  begins  about  5  miles  east  of  the  town  of 
Tozer  and  extends  for  about  5  miles  along  the  northern  border  of 
Shott  Jerid,  in  a  band  that  is  from  one-half  mile  to  2  miles  wide. 
It  lies  so  near  the  Shott  that  in  winter  the  salt  water  sometimes 
rises  nearly  to  the  gardens.  It  is  generally  described  as  a  group  of 
five  oases,  but  these  are  practically  continuous,  although  each  has  its 
own  village.  The  westernmost,  known  as  El  Degache,  contains  the 
finest  gardens.  The  terrace,  at  the  base  of  which  the  oases  lie,  is 
here  much  higher  and  closer  to  the  gardens  than  at  Tozer  and  Nefta, 
and  El  Oudiane  is  the  best  protected  from  the  north  wind  of  all  the 
Jerid  oases.  Hence  its  dates,  especially  those  of  the  Deglet  Noor 
variety,  are  admitted  on  all  sides  to  be  the  finest  produced  in  the 
region. 

There  are  estimated  to  be  from  120,000  to  212,000  date  palms  in 
the  El  Oudiane  oases.  As  8,000  of  these  are  said  to  be  Deglet  Noors, 
the  percentage  of  that  variety  is  considerably  higher  than  in  the 
other  oases.  Besides  the  magnificent  date  palms,  there  are  about 

a  The  "  basket "  of  Nefta  reminds  one  of  the  sunken  gardens  of  the  Oued 
Souf  (Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry),  but  is  much  larger  than  any  of  them 
92 


GEOGRAPHY   OF   THE    NEFZAOUA.  17 

25,000  olive  trees  in  the  El  Oudiane  group,  most  of  these  being  at 
Degache,  where  much  oil  is  made  for  local  use.  There  is  also  an 
abundance  of  other  fruit  trees,  oranges,  figs,  pomegranates,  apri- 
cots, grapevines,  and  even  a  few  bananas.  In  fact,  the  gardens  of 
El  Oudiane  are  among  the  best  kept  and  the  most  attractive  in  the 
Sahara.  The  population  is  more  active  and  laborious  than  that  of 
the  other  oases  of  the  Jerid. 

El  Hamma,  situated  about  5J  miles  north  of  Tozer,  lies  on  the 
northwest  point  of  the  Draa-el-Jerid  terrace,  on  the  south  declivity 
of  which  the  other  oases  are  placed.  The  oasis  slopes  westward  to 
the  Shott  Gharsa,  instead  of  toward  Shott  Jerid.  It  is  practically 
unsheltered  from  the  north  wind,  which  is  probably  the  chief  reason 
why  its  dates  are  the  poorest  of  the  region.  It  contains  only  60,000 
or  70,000  palms,  of  which  but  800  are  Deglet  Noors.  With  a  few  ex- 
ceptions, the  gardens  of  this  oasis  are  neglected  and  have  grown  up  in 
weeds  and  grass.  Many  of  the  palms  receive  no  attention  whatever, 
and  many  seedlings  of  inferior  quality  have  been  allowed  to  spring 
up.  The  population  is  sparse  and  seems  to  be  thoroughly  disheart- 
ened. Dates  are  said  to  mature  less  perfectly  here  than  in  the  other 
oases. 

THE   NEFZAOUA. 

The  region  known  as  the  Nefzaoua  occupies  a  narrow  peninsula 
that  is  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  eastern  end  of  the  Shott  Jerid 
and  on  the  north  by  the  Shott-el-Fejej.  The  latter,  which  is  merely 
a  prolongation  of  the  former,  extends  eastward  to  within  14  miles 
of  the  coast,  near  Gabes.  From  Fetnassa,  the  northwesternmost 
oasis  of  the  Nefzaoua  group,  to  Kriz  (El  Oudiane),  the  nearest  point 
in  the  Jerid,  the  distance  is  about  30  miles,  the  road  leading  diag- 
onally across  the  salt-crusted  mud  flats  of  the  Shott  Jerid.  From 
Kebili,  the  capital  of  the  Nefzaoua  (see  map,  fig.  1),  to  Gabes,  on  the 
coast,  the  distance  is  about  64  miles  as  the  crow  flies,  the  direction 
being  a  little  north  of  east.  By  the  road  usually  traveled,  which 
follows  the  south  shore  of  the  Shott-el-Fejej,  the  distance  is  some- 
what greater.  Before  the  railway  from  Sfax  to  the  phosphate  mines 
Avest  of  Gafsa  was  built  this  road  formed  the  principal  outlet  to 
the  coast  for  the  Jerid  as  well  as  the  Nefzaoua  oases.  Along  this 
route  there  are  a  few  small  oases,  but  no  important  ones  are  en- 
countered until  one  nears  Gabes. 

The  Nefzaoua  comprises  a  large  number  of  oases — more  than  1,000, 
according  to  the  estimates  of  reliable  authorities.  Most  of  these, 
however,  are  mere  small  groves  of  palms,  only  forty  of  them  attain- 
ing any  considerable  size.  They  are  situated  both  on  the  north  and 
the  south  slope  of  the  stony  ridge  that  forms  the  backbone  of  the 
30618— No.  92—06 2 


18  DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

peninsula.  This  ridge  is  the  western  extension  of  the  desert  moun- 
tain range  known  as  the  Jebel  Tebaga,  which  forms  the  southern 
border  of  the  Shott-el-Fejej.  The  oases  that  are  on  the  south  side 
of  this  ridge  are  naturally  more  sheltered  from  the  north  wind  and 
better  situated  for  the  ripening  of  dates  than  those  on  the  north 
side. 

The  population  of  the  Nefzaoua  is  stated  to  be  25,000,  distributed 
in  45  villages.  The  total  number  of  date  palms  in  the  region  is 
estimated  by  one  authority  to  be  280,000,  by  another  over  1,000,000. 
The  first  estimate  is  probably  more  nearly  correct.  It  is  a  pecu- 
liarity of  the  Nefzaoua,  which  places  it  in  strong  contrast  with  the 
Jerid,  that  the  oases  are  mostly  situated  upon  the  higher  lands. 
The  reason  is  that  nearly  all  the  springs  are  found  craterwise  at  the 
summits  of  small  volcano-like  hillocks,  and  the  gardens  of  date 
palms  have  grown  up  around  them.  The  water  supply  is  abundant, 
and  owing  to  the  situation  of  the  springs  with  relation  to  the  gar- 
dens irrigation  is  generally  easy.  In  the  oasis  of  Menchia,  however, 
the  gardens  are  generally  some  distance  away  from  the  springs,  and 
water  is  conducted  to  them  by  means  of  tunnels  that  have  been  bored 
into  the  sides  of  the  hills  in  which  the  springs  rise.  Some  of  these 
tunnels  are  said  to  have  been  constructed  in  the  times  of  ancient 
Rome,  this  region  also  having  been  occupied  by  the  Romans.  In  the 
Nefzaoua,  as  in  the  Jerid,  the  water  sheet  is  located  in  cretaceous 
strata. 

Menchia  is  the  most  important  of  the  oases  on  the  north  side  of  the 
ridge.  Its  soil  is  sa^ndy  and  contains  much  gypsum,  but  not  an 
excessive  amount  of  the  more  readily  soluble  salts.  On  the  south 
slope  the  oasis  which  pertains  to  the  two  villages  of  Tlemine  and 
Mansourah  is  the  largest,  and  its  gardens  are  the  best  kept  of  the 
region.  It  is  said  to  contain  29,000  palms,  while  the  next  largest 
oasis,  Kebili,  contains  20,000.  In  these  two  oases  the  soils  are  gen- 
erally excellent,  although  frequently  a  trifle  salty. 

The  culture  of  the  date  palm  is  generally  given  less  care  in  the 
Nefzaoua  than  in  the  Jerid.  Many  of  the  gardens  have  been  allowed 
to  grow  up  in  seedlings  of  poor  quality  and  are  almost  choked  with 
weeds.  The  Deglet  Noor  variety  has  not  heretofore  been  grown  in 
the  Nefzaoua,  although  the  conditions  would  appear  to  be  perfectly 
suitable  for  it.  Recently  the  forestry  service  has  taken  some  steps 
toward  establishing  its  culture  in  some  of  the  oases.  The  growing 
of  other  fruit  trees  and  of  crops  of  vegetables,  cereals,  and  forage 
plants  among  the  palms  receives  much  less  attention  than  in  the  Jerid. 
A  great  deal  of  trouble  has  resulted  from  the  incursion  of  wind-blown 
sand,  and  here,  as  in  the  Jerid,  the  forestry  service  has  had  to  under- 
take the  protection  of  the  oases  by  constructing  palisades  and  by 
prohibiting  the  pasturing  of  animals  on  the  outskirts  of  the  gardens. 

92 


GEOGRAPHY    OF    GABES.  19 

South  of  Kebili  there  is  a  region  of  sand  dunes,  and  here  the  palms, 
according  to  M.  Minangoin,  inspector  of  agriculture,  are  grown  in 
sunken  gardens,  similar  to  those  of  the  Oued  Souf  region,*  but  on  a 
smaller  scale.  In  the  oasis  of  Douz,  about  16  miles  south  of  Kebili, 
this  form  of  date  culture  reaches  its  highest  development  in  Tunis. 
There  basins  among  the  dunes  are  excavated  to  a  depth  of  about  13 
feet  and  often  100  to  130  feet  square  (the  sand  being  carried  out  in 
baskets)  in  order  to  plant  a  dozen  or  so  palms  and  a  few  other  fruit 
trees.  The  palms  grown  with  such  an  enormous  expenditure  of  labor 
almost  always  belong  to  inferior  varieties.  During  several  months 
of  each  year  most  of  the  population  of  this  oasis  migrates  in  search 
of  pasturage  for  its  flocks.  Upon  the  return  of  the  inhabitants 
they  must  immediately  set  to  work  to  clear  out  the  sand  that  has 
invaded  their  gardens,  a  task  that  requires  nearly  as  much  labor  as 
the  original  excavation. 

GABES. 

In  extreme  southern  Tunis  the  Sahara  Desert  practically  reaches 
the  seashore,  forming  the  region  known  as  the  "Aarad."  One  of  the 
largest  and  most  flourishing  groups  of  oases  in  the  country  is  that 
which  has  for  its  center  the  seaport  town  of  Gabes.  These  oases  are 
well  supplied  with  water,  those  nearest  Gabes  chiefly  by  means  of  a 
series  of  little  dams  in  the  Oued  Gabes  (Gabes  River)  and  its  branches, 
the  more  distant  ones  from  springs  and  wells.  The  large  oasis  of 
El  Hamma — of  the  same  name  as  one  in  the  Jerid  region — is  famous 
for  its  hot  springs.  This  oasis  has  an  area  of  about  4,000  acres,  and 
the  combined  area  of  those  nearer  Gabes  is  said  to  be  about  the  same. 

About  400,000  date  palms  are  estimated  to  exist  in  the  oases  of 
Gabes  and  El  Hamma  together.  At  Gabes  the  humidity,  due  to 
the  proximity  of  the  sea,  prevents  the  successful  growing  of  the  finer 
varieties,  notably  the  Deglet  Noor.  While  the  date  palm  itself 
thrives  admirably  in  the  Gabes  region,  and  a  great  number  of  varie- 
ties exist  there,  the  fruit  produced  is  far  inferior  in  flavor  and  sweet- 
ness to  that  of  the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua.  Moreover,  it  is  said  not 
to  keep  well  and  easily  to  become  moldy.  The  same  criticism  applies 
to  the  dates  grown  on  the  neighboring  island  of  Jerba,  where  also 
there  are  about  400,000  palms.b  But  at  El  Hamma,  although  only 
l^l  miles  inland,  the  quality  of  the  dates  is  appreciably  better. 

«  See  Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  1905. 

&  It  is  interesting  to  know  that  some  kinds  of  dates  can  be  ripened  on  the 
seacoast,  even  considerably  farther  north  than  Gabes.  M.  Minangoin,  inspector 
of  agriculture  at  Tunis,  in  a  letter  to  the  writer,  describes  a  small  oasis  of  4,000 
to  5,000  palms,  situated  on  a  sand  spit  near  Susa  (Sousse),  about  120  miles 
north  of  Gabes.  Two  kinds  of  dates  are  grown,  of  one  of  which  the  fruits  must 
be  eaten  the  day  they  are  gathered,  while  the  other  kind  can  be  kept  for  only 
92 


20  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

In  respect  to  other  cultures,  however,  Gabes  is  easily  first  among 
the  Tunis  oases.  Garden  vegetables  grow  to  perfection  beneath 
the  palms  and  mature  so  early  that  were  there  better  facilities  for 
transportation  there  would  be  a  large  profit  in  shipping  them  to 
European  markets.  Alfalfa  grows  beautifully  and  gives  a  rapid 
succession  of  cuttings  throughout  most  of  the  year.  Large  yields 
of  barley  are  obtained.  Fruit  trees  of  various  kinds,  but  especially 
figs  and  pomegranates,  are  abundant  and  produce  fruit  that  is  highly 
esteemed  throughout  Tunis.  Gabes  is  celebrated  for  the  production 
of  a  small,  deliciously  flavored  banana  that  is  exported  in  some 
quantity  to  Europe.  The  grapevine  grows  to  enormous  size,  and 
individual  vines  that  produce  330  pounds  of  fruit  are  said  to  be  not 
uncommon.  Notwithstanding  the  scanty  rainfall,  plantations  of  oil 
olives  in  land  that  is  not  irrigated,  similar  to  those  of  Sfax,  are  being 
established  on  the  outskirts  of  some  of  the  oases. 

GAFSA. 

The  town  of  Gafsa  is  situated  about  50  miles  northeast  of  Tozer, 
the  capital  of  the  Jerid,  and  is  connected  with  Sfax,  on  the  east  coast 
of  Tunis,  by  a  railway  about  125  miles  long.  The  elevation  of  Gafsa 
above  sea  level  is  about  1,150  feet.  Tributary  to  the  oasis  of  Gafsa 
itself  are  one  or  two  other  oases  of  small  importance.  Gafsa  oasis 
contains  from  50,000  to  65,000  date  palms.  These  belong  mostly  to 
inferior  varieties,  and  the  dates  produced  are  of  mediocre  quality. 
Because  of  its  much  greater  elevation  this  locality  is  entirely  unsuited 
to  choice  varieties,  such  as  the  Deglet  Noor.  The  water  supply  is 
more  than  ample  for  the  present  extent  of  the  oasis.  The  date  is 
here  hardly  a  more  important'  crop  than  the  olive,  of  which  there  are 
many  thousands  of  trees.  Oil  varieties  predominate.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Christian  era  Gafsa  (then  known  as  Capsa)  was  included 
in  the  great  olive  zone  that  extended  from  the  east  coast  of  Tunis 
across  into  Algeria,  and  of  which  only  scattered  fragments  remain. 

four  or  five  days.  These  must  be  picked  from  the  bunches  as  fast  as  they 
ripen,  which  necessitates  climbing  each  palm  every  day  until  all  of  its  product 
is  harvested.  These  dates  are  sold  in  the  markets  of  Susa  at  a  rather  high 
price,  as  they  ripen  at  a  time  when  other  fresh  fruit  is  not  obtainable.  They 
are  eaten  only  by  the  natives,  Europeans  holding  them  in  small  esteem.  The 
high  value  set  upon  them  by  the  natives  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  the  off- 
shoots are  sold  at  a  price  of  $2  apiece.  While  the  two  varieties  grown  at  this 
locality  are  doubtless  of  little  intrinsic  value,  it  is  remarkable  that  dates  of  any 
sort  will  mature  under  these  climatic  conditions ;  for  at  Sfax,  where  the  sum- 
mers are  slightly  hotter  than  at  Susa,  the  normal  sum  total  of  mean  daily 
temperatures  from  May  1  to  October  31  is  only  1,968°  F.,  and  the  normal  sum 
of  mean  daily  maxima  during  the  same  period  is  only  3,375°  F. 
92 


TEMPERATURE.  2 1 

At  the  present  time  the  culture  of  the  olive  as  carried  on  at  Gafsa 
leaves  much  to  be  desired,  and  the  gardens  are  generally  not  well 
cared  for.  The  pomegranates  of  Gafsa  are  considered  the  best  grown 
in  Tunis. 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  southern  Tunis  is  essentially  that  of  a  desert,  al- 
though modified  by  the  nearness  of  the  sea.  This  modification  is,  of 
course,  most  marked  at  Gabes,  on  the  coast,  which  has  a  more  humid 
atmosphere  and  lower  summer  temperatures  than  the  other  oasis 
groups,  and  is  consequently  not  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  the 
finest  varieties  of  dates.  At  Gafsa  the  air  is  drier  than  at  Gabes, 
but  the  high  altitude  (1,000  feet)  lowers  the  temperatures  and  shortens 
the  summer  to  a  degree  that  renders  this  oasis  unsuitable  for  the  late- 
ripening  varieties.  Only  in  the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua  oases  do  we 
find  the  climatic  conditions  that  are  necessary  for  the  perfect  ripening 
of  the  finest  sorts  of  dates. 

TEMPERATURE. 

In  the  following  tables  data  are  given  for  five  localities  in  Tunis 
where  the  date  .palm  is  the  principal  culture,  viz,  Tozer  and  Nef  ta 
(Jerid),  Kebili  (Nefzaoua),  Gabes,  and  Gafsa.  The  normals  for  the 
different  localities  and  for  different  months  have  been  compiled  from 
records  of  observations  covering  periods  of  unequal  length,  being 
from  nine  to  thirteen  years  at  Tozer.  The  monthly  normals  for  Gabes 
and  Gafsa  have  been  corrected  so  as  to  agree  with  the  normals  of 
fifteen  years  for  each  seapon  (winter,  spring,  summer,  and  autumn).0 
All  temperatures  are  given  in  degrees  Fahrenheit. 

a  As  given  by  G.  Ginestous  (Etude  sur  le  Climat  de  la  Tunisie,  Bui.  Dir.  Agr. 
ft  Com.,  Tunis,  1902,  pp.  64,  210,  334,  413;  1903,  p.  103).  The  discrepancy  be- 
tween tbe  seasonal  normals  given  by  this  author  and  the  monthly  normals 
compiled  from  various  sources  is  usually  only  a  fraction  of  1  degree  Fahren- 
heit for  each  month,  although  sometimes  amounting  to  3  or  4  degrees.  The 
monthly  normals  have  been  compiled  from  the  records  published  in  the  Annales 
du  Bureau  Central  Meteorologique  de  France  and  in  the  quarterly  Bulletin 
de  la  Direction  de  1'Agriculture  et  du  Commerce  de  Tunis.  Those  for  Nefta 
and  Kebili,  localities  for  which  seasonal  normals  are  not  given  by  Ginestous, 
are  based  upon  short  periods  of  observation,  in  no  case  exceeding  six  years, 
and  in  some  cases  of  only  three  years,  although  generally  four  or  five  years. 
92 


22 


DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN   TUNIS. 


TABLE   1. — Normal  mean  temperatures  of  localities  in   the  desert  regions  of 
Tunis,  Algeria,  and  the  United  States. 


Month. 

Tunis. 

Algeria. 

United  States. 

1 

1 

1 
W 

1 

, 

, 

J 

E 

i 
1 

4 
• 

a 
0 

M 

5 

x" 
& 

|j 

•2 

<5 

i 

af 

it 

.9 

to 

^ 

1 

January   ... 

51.3 
55.9 
62.1 
68.7 
76.1 
86.2 
92.0 
92.0 
83.1 
73.0 
61.7 
52.3 

50.5 
56.3 
61.1 
69.2 
74.5 
84.3 
89.1 
88.8 
83.8 
72.9 
61.4 
53.0 

49.6 
56.5 
61.7 
71.9 
74.8 
84.1 
89.4 
87.0 
82.5 
72.5 
59.8 
52.0 

51.8 
55.6 
59.7 
64.2 
69.2 
76.3 
81.3 
81.0 
80.0 
72.8 
62.9 
54.3 

49.2 
53.7 
58.1 
64.2 
71.4 
80.4 
85.6 
a?.  4 
81.7 
71.3 
59.8 
48.6 

50.5 
53.2 
58.3 

mi 

71.8 
80.6 
87.1 
85.8 
78.8 
67.6 
57.2 
51.3 

67.1 

47.3 

49.8 
54.9 
64.0 

74.8 
86.0 
92.1 
85.1 
83.7 
68.4 
58.5 
48.9 

67.8 

46.8 
51.8 
59.9 
66.4 
73.6 
82.4 
90.7 
86.0 
78.1 
63.5 
52.9 
45.  0 

66.4 

49.8 
54.3 
53.9 
67.0 
74.4 
83.9 
90.2 
88.2 
81.4 
69.3 
58.5 
52.3 

68.6 

54.1 
58.6 
63.9 
69.9 
76.9 
84.4 
91.2 
90.4 
84.3 
72;  4 
62.3 
55.9 

72.0 

55.9 

(50.5 
68.4 
79.7 
87.5 
96.6 
101.3 
99.7 
89.5 
78.4 
67.0 
57.4 

February 

March         .  .      . 

April 

M?y  .::.:::::::::::::::::::::::: 

June 

July  

August 

Rfiptftrn  V>«r 

October  

JfovftTn'bpr 

December  

Year 

71.2 

70.4 

70.1 

67.4 

67.4 

78.5 

Comparing  the  Tunis  localities  among  themselves,  we  notice  that 
during  most  of  the  year  the  Jerid  oases  (Tozer  and  Nefta)  are  the 
warmest,  and  that  next  to  them  is  the  Nefzaoua  (Kebili) .  In  Novem- 
ber, December,  and  January,  however,  the  highest  means  are  reached 
at  Gabes,  on  the  seacoast.  The  normal  yearly  means  are  higher  in 
the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua  than  in  any  of  the  Algerian  oases.  The 
difference  is  particularly  noticeable  during  the  Avinter  months,  when 
the  means  are  decidedly  lower  in  the  Algerian  oases  than  in  those  of 
the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua.  The  normal  means  of  most  months  are 
higher  in  the  Jerid  and  Nefzaoua  oases  than  at  Phoenix,  Ariz.,  but 
lower  than  at  Yuma,  Ariz.  They  are  much  lower  in  every  month 
than  at  Volcano  Springs,  Cal. 

TABLE  2. — Normal  mean  maximum  and  minimum  temperatures  of  localities  in 
the  desert  region  of  Tunis. 


Month. 

Mean  maxima. 

Mean  minima. 

Tozer. 

Nefta. 

Kebili. 

Gabes. 

Gafsa. 

Tozer. 

Nefta. 

Kebili. 

Gabes. 

Gafsa. 

January  

59.4 
65.5 
72.5 
81.3 
89.1 
99.7 
107.1 
104.6 
93.7 
83.2 
70.5 
60.3 

63.7 
70.0 
76.1 
86.5 
89.0 
99.2 
104.9 
103.8 
98.3 
86.1 
76.1 
71.0 

57.9 
65.8 
72.5 
84.4 
88.3 
96.9 
103.8 
101.3 
95.1 
82.6 
70.6 
61.1 

62.7 
67.6 
71.3 
76.0 
78.9 
85.3 
90.8 
91.4 
91.9 
83.6 
73.3 
65.6 

59.5 
66.2 
70.4 
80.7 
85.2 
96.5 
102.8 
101.2 
96.2 
84.0 
75.0 
60.2 

42.8 
46.5 
52.3 
56.8 
65.3 
74.1 
77.6 
79.5 
72.5 
63.1 
53.2 
44.7 

eoT 

37.7 
41.3 
47.3 
54.1 
60.2 
69.2 
73.2 
74.4 
69.5 
58.1 
50.5 
40.1 

39.2 
41.9 

48.2 
56.8 
60.2 
68.2 
73.4 
72.2 
69.8 
60.6 
48.2 
42.4 

40.7 
43.6 
48.6 
53.5 
58.0 
67.2 
71.0 
71.3 
71.0 
61.5 
50.5 
•  44.2 

56.8 

39.5 
39.3 
44.6 
49.9 
56.3 
63.9 
69.7 
69.1 
66.0 
57.3 
47.2 
37.7 

February 

March 

April.. 

May  

June 

July 

August  

September 

October 

November  

December 

Year  

82.2 

85.4 

81.7 

78.2 

81.5 

56.3 

56.8 

53.4 

92 


TEMPERATURE.  23 

As  is  shown  by  the  foregoing  table,  the  normal  yearly  maxima  are 
highest  in  the  Jerid  oases  (Tozer  and  Nefta)  and  are  lowest  at  Gabes, 
on  the  coast.  In  winter  the  maxima  are  higher  at  Nefta,0  but  lower 
at  Tozer  than  at  Gabes.  At  Tozer  the  minima  are  higher  for  nearly 
every  month  than  at  any  other  locality  in  Tunis,  while  at  Nefta 
those  for  June,  July,  and  August  are  higher  than  at  any  other 
locality  excepting  Tozer.  Comparing  Gafsa,  which  has  an  elevation 
above  sea  level  of  1,000  feet,  with  Gabes,  on  the  coast,  we  find  the 
maxima  higher  at  the  former  point  in  all  seasons  except  winter. 
The  minima  are  lower  at  Gafsa  than  at  Gabes  in  every  month  of  the 
year. 

A  climatic  factor  upon  which  the  success  of  date  culture  largely 
depends  is  the  sum  total  of  heat  received  during  the  ripening  period, 
which  can  be  taken  as  comprising  the  six  months  from  May  1  to 
October  31.  As  it  is  still  a  question  whether  the  sum  total  of  the 
daily  means  or  those  of  the  daily  maxima  give  the  best  expression 
of  this  factor,  both  sums  have  been  computed  for  the  Tunis  locali- 
ties, and  are  given  in  the  following  table.  Following  the  sugges- 
tion made  by  Mr.  W.  T.  Swingle,6  the  sums  of  the  daily  means  are 
based  upon  the  excess  of  the  normal  monthly  means  over  64.4°  F., 
while  in  computing  the  sums  of  the  daily  maxima  above  64.4°  deduc- 
tion has  been  made  for  normal  monthly  minima  that  fall  below  that 
temperature. 

a  As  pointed  out  on  p.  21,  however,  the  results  for  Nefta  and  for  Kebili  are 
based  upon  too  short  periods  of  observations. 
»  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  65-68. 
92. 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


TABLE  3. — Sums  of  daily  mean  and  daily  maximum  temperatures  above  64-4°  f- 
from  May  1  to  October  31,  at  localities  in  the  desert  regions  of  Tunis,  Algeria, 
and  the  United  States.** 


Locality. 

Sum  of 
daily 
mean 

Sum  of 
daily 
maxi- 
mum 

Period  covered  by 
observations. 

Remarks. 

tures. 

tempera- 
tures. 

Tozer,  Tunis 

3,555.5 

5,818.5 

9  to  13  years 

All    varieties     including    Deglet 

Noor,  ripen  perfectly. 

Nefta,  Tunis  

3,277.7 

5,710.4 

3  to  6  years 

Do. 

Kebili,  Tunis 

3,  183.  1 

5  357  6 

4  to  5  years 

Several  first-class  varieties  ripen 

perfectly.    Deglet  Noor  not  yet 

CKbes,  Tunis  . 

2,272.7 

3,936.5 

15  years  

grown. 
Finest  varieties  do  not  ripen  well; 

even  second  and  third  class  dates 

Gafsa,  Tunis  

2,738.1 

4,943.9 

do  

do  not  always  ripen  perfectly. 
Too  cold  to  mature  the  finest  vari- 

eties. 

Biskra,  Algeria... 

3,304.0 

5,489.0 

10  years  (means),  12| 
years  (maxima). 

Many  varieties  ripen  perfectly,  but 
the  Deglet  Noor  is  generally  un- 

Ayata, Algeria... 

3,488.0 

5,932.0 

3  years  (means),  4 
years  (maxima). 

satisfactory. 
Deglet  Noor  ripens  well  in  hot  sum- 
mers, imperfectly  in  cool  sum- 

mers. 

Phoenix,  Ariz  .... 
Salton,  Cal 

3,019.0 
4  823  0 

5,523.0 
7  306  0 

Many  years  (means)  , 
4  years  (maxima). 
12  years  (means)    2 

Many  varieties  ripen  well,  but  not 
the  Deglet  Noor. 
Dates  not  grown 

average      years 

(maxima). 

It  would  appear  that  for  purposes  of  comparison  of  different 
localities  as  to  their  suitability  for  the  culture  of  fine  varieties  of 
dates  the  sums  of  the  daily  maximum  temperatures  are  more  satis- 
factory than  those  of  the  daily  means.  For  at  Biskra,  Algeria, 
where  the  Deglet  Noor  seldom  ripens  properly,  the  normal  sum  of  the 
daily  means  is  higher  than  that  given  above  for  Nefta,  and  only  250 
degrees  lower  than  at  Tozer,  yet  at  both  of  these  Tunis  localities  the 
Deglet  Noor  rarely  fails  to  mature,  while  the  normal  sums  of  the 
daily  maxima  both  at  Tozer  and  at  Nefta  are  considerably  higher 
than  at  Biskra.  Furthermore,  at  Ayata,  Algeria,  in  1891,  when 
Deglet  Noor  dates  ripened  "very  slowly  and  imperfectly,"  the  sum 
of  the  daily  means  was  3,431,  or  only  124  degrees  lower  than  the 
normal  for  Tozer  as  given  in  the  table.  But  in  favor  of  the  sum 
of  the  means  rather  than  of  the  maxima  is  the  fact  that  at  Ayata, 
where  the  Deglet  Noor  does  not  ripen  well  every  season,  the  normal 
sum  of  the  maxima  is  nearly  100  degrees  higher,  while  that  of 
the  means  is  about  70  degrees  lower  than  at  Tozer.  At  Phoenix, 
Ariz.,  where  the  Deglet  Noor  will  probably  not  mature,  the  sums 
of  daily  mean  and  daily  maximum  temperatures  are  several  hun- 
dred degrees  lower  than  at  Tozer.  At  Salton,  Cal.,  however,  both 

o  The  sums  for  Biskra  and  Ayata,  Algeria,  and  for  Phoenix  and  Salton,  in  the 
United  States,  are  those  given  by  Swingle,  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry, 
pp.  66  and  68.  As  explained  by  Mr.  Swingle,  the  method  of  observing  tempera- 
tures formerly  used  at  Salton  has  probably  made  the  sum  for  that  point  appear 
to  be  higher  than  is  actually  the  case. 
92 


TEMPERATURE. 


25 


sums  are  so  very  much  higher  than  at  Tozer  that,  even  when  we  make 
a  considerable  allowance  for  the  probable  overestimate,  due  to  the 
way  the  observations  have  been  taken  at  Salton  (see  p.  24),  we  can 
not  doubt  that  the  Salton  Basin  is  hot  enough  for  the  perfect  ripen- 
ing of  all  the  Tunis  varieties  of  dates.  At  Gabes,  on  the  coast  of 
Tunis,  only  second  or  third  rate  varieties  are  grown,  and  even  these 
often  fail  to  mature  well,  as  would  be  expected  from  the  low  sums  of 
temperature  (much  lower  than  at  Tucson,  Ariz.).  At  Gafsa,  also, 
where  the  sums  of  the  daily  mean  and  daily  maximum  temperatures 
are,  respectively,  nearly  300  and  nearly  500  degrees  lower  than  at 
Phoenix,  none  of  the  first-class  varieties  can  be  successfully  grown. 

A  comparison  of  the  weather  of  several  successive  years  at  Tozer 
during  the  six  months  that  are  most  decisive  in  the  ripening  of  dates, 
with  statements  of  the  character  of  the  succeeding  crops,  is  presented 
in  the  following  table : 

TABLE  4. — Climatic  conditions  and  character  of  date  crop  at  Tozer,  1901  to  1905. 


Year. 

Sum  of 
means, 
May  to 
October. 

Sum  of 
maxima, 
May  to 
October. 

Rainfall,  May  to 
October. 

Character  of  crop. 

1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 

1905 

3,459 
3,899 
3,309 
3,719 

3,565 

5,335 
5,922 
5,793 
5,622 

5,643 

May  

0.87 

Yield  not  stated. 
Quality  lowered  by  September  rains,  especially 
inferior  sorts,  which  contained  many  worms. 

Crop  very  large,  but  quality  somewhat  injured 
by  autumn  rains. 

Crop  much  smaller  than  in  1904. 
Crop  very  large  and  of  excellent  quality. 

Harvest  retarded  until  October  23-26.    Dates 
ripened  imperfectly. 

June 

July  

August 

September  . 
October.... 

May  

1.07 
.84 

2.78 

June  .  . 

July     .... 

August 

September. 
October  .... 

May    .... 

0.64 
1.78 

2.42 

June  .. 

July 

August  

September. 
October 

0.9H 

May 

.93 

June 

July  

August  
September. 
October.... 

(May  

0.08 
.13 
.13 

.34 

0.17 
.75 
.11 

June  ... 

July  . 

August 

September. 

October.... 

.40 

1.43 

Judging  by  the  data  for  1904,  the  period  of  the  writer's  visit, 
when  the  crop  was  admitted  on  all  sides  to  be  an  unusually  fine 
one,  both  as  to  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  fruit,  it  would  seem 


92 


26 


DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


as  if  the  sum  of  the  daily  means,  which  in  1904  was  more  than  150 
degrees  higher  than  the  normal,  were  a  more  satisfactory  basis  for 
comparing  one  season  with  another  at  the  same  locality  than  the 
sum  of  the  daily  maxima,  which  was  about  200  degrees  lower  than 
the  normal.  Furthermore,  in  1905,  when  the  ripening  of  the  dates 
was  late  and  imperfect,  the  sum  of  the  daily  means  was  nearly  nor- 
mal, while  that  of  the  daily  maxima  was  again  nearly  200  degrees 
lower  than  the  normal.  In  1903,  wThen  the  crop  was  much  smaller 
than  in  1904,  the  sum  of  the  daily  maxima  was  only  25  degrees  lower 
than  the  normal,  while  the  sum  of  the  daily  means  was  nearly  250 
degrees  below  the  normal.  Still  more  conclusive  are  the  data  for 
1902,  a  year  when  the  crop  was  unusually  large.  The  sum  of  the 
daily  maxima  of  that  season  was  only  100  degrees  higher,  while  that 
of  the  daily  means  was  350  degrees  higher  than  the  normal. 

TABLE  5. — Mean  maximum  and  minimum  temperatures   at  Tozer  during  the 
months  of  May  to  October,  1904  and  1905. 


Year. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

1904... 

90.3 
89.4 

65.3 
63.5 

89.2 
98.2 

75.7 
72.7 

104.7 
105.0 

85.4 
80.0 

108.7 
104.3 

84.4 
79.7 

96.2 
97.3 

73.7 
75.9 

83.1 

78.6 

61.3 
62.8 

1905 

Comparing  further  the  good  year  1904  with  the  poor  year  1905  at 
Tozer,  we  find  that  while  the  mean  maximum  was  much  higher  in 
June  and  slightly  higher  in  July  in  the  latter  year,  the  August  and 
October  maxima  were  considerably  higher  in  1904,  while  those  for 
May  and  September  differed  little  in  the  two  years.  The  mean 
minima  during  the  first  four  months  of  the  season  were  considerably 
higher  in  1904  than  in  1905. 

ATMOSPHERIC    HUMIDITY. 

The  amount  of  moisture  in  the  air  is  an  important  factor  in  date 
culture.  At  Gabes,  in  Tunis,  one  of  the  few  localities  in  the  world 
where  the  date  palm  is  extensively  grown  on  the  seacoast,  the  qual- 
ity of  the  fruit  is  often  seriously  impaired  by  this  cause  (see  p.  19). 
In  the  following  table  the  mean  relative  humidity  for  each  of  the 
four  seasons  and  for  the  year  is  given  for  several  localities  in  North 
Africa,  where  date  culture  exists,  and  for  localities  in  the  south- 
western United  States,  where  it  can  probably  be  successfully  intro- 
duced. 

92 


PRECIPITATION. 


27 


TABLE  6. — Mean  relative  humidity  at  localities  in  the  desert  regions  of  Tunis, 
Algeria,  and  the  United  States. 


Season." 

Tunis. 

Algeria. 

United 

States. 

Tozer. 

Gabes. 

Gafsa. 

Biskra. 

Ouargla. 

Yuma. 

Winter  

Per  cent. 
70.6 
63.0 
52.0 
59.6 

Per  cent. 
70.1 
65.0 
64.1 
67.6 

Per  cent. 
64.0 
57.6 
47.0 
59.6 

Per  cent. 
59.8 
47.7 
34.9 
51.3 

Per  cent. 
48.5 
46.4 
30.1 
47.6 

Per  cent. 
46.9 
38.3 
41.7 
44.7 

Spring                                 .                    

Summer 

Autumn.   

Year 

61.3 

66.7 

57.0 

48.4 

43.1 

42.9 

0  Winter  comprises  December,  January,  and  February  ;  spring,  March,  April,  and  May  ; 
summer,  June,  July,  and  August ;  and  autumn,  September,  October,  and  November^ 

As  shown  by  the  above  table,  the  Tunis  oases  have  at  all  seasons  a 
decidedly  more  humid  atmosphere  than  those  of  Algeria.  At  Yuma 
the  air  is  drier  than  at  any  of  the  North  African  localities,  except  in 
summer,  when  Yuma  is  more  humid  than  Biskra  and  Ouargla. 
Comparing  the  three  Tunis  localities  one  with  another,  we  find  that 
at  most  seasons  the  humidity  is  greatest  at  Gabes,  as  would  be 
expected  from  its  situation  on  the  coast,  and  least  at  Gafsa,  which 
lies  in  the  midst  of  extremely  arid  elevated  plains  and  is  cut  off  from 
the  sea  by  ranges  of  desert  mountains.  Tozer  in  winter  is  slightly 
more  and  in  spring  little  less  humid  than  Gabes,  but  in  summer  and 
autumn  it  is  decidedly  drier.  All  things  considered,  the  humidity  at 
Tozer  is  surprisingly  higher  for  a  locality  where  the  finest  kinds  of 
dates  are  produced. 

PRECIPITATION.0 

TABLE  7. — Normal  precipitation,  in  inches,  at  localities  in  the  desert  regions  of 
Tunis,  Algeria,  and  the  United  States. 


Season. 

Tunis. 

Algeria. 

United  States. 

Tozer. 

Nefta. 

Gabes. 

Gafsa. 

Biskra. 

Tou- 
gourt. 

Ouar- 
gla. 

Phoe- 
nix, 
Ariz. 

Yuma, 
Ariz. 

Volcano 
Springs, 
Gal. 

Winter  

1.7 
2.4 
0.1 
0.7 

1.4 
2.1 
0.2 
0.7 

2.8 
1.9 
0.1 
2.7 

2.4 
3.4 
0.6 
1.9 

2.1 
2.2 
0.6 

1.8 

2.0 
1.6 
0.1 
1.3 

1.4 
1.4 
0.1 
0.7 

2.3 
1.0 
2.0 
1.5 

1.3 
0.4 
0.5 
0.6 

1.1 

•  o.i 

0.2 
0.2 

Spring 

Summer 

Autumn.  

Year 

4.9 

4.4 

7.5 

8.3 

6.7 

5.0 

3.6 

6.9 

2.8 

1.6 

The  total  annual  rainfall  of  the  Jerid  oases  (Tozer  and  Nefta)  is 
very  much  less  than  that  of  Gabes,  on  the  coast  of  Tunis,  and  of 
Gafsa,  which  has  an  elevation  of  1,000  feet  above  sea  level.  Tozer 

« The  relation  of  the  rainfall  of  the  Tunis  oases  to  date  production  is  dis- 
cussed under  the  heading  "  Ripening,"  on  pp.  51  and  52  of  this  bulletin. 
92 


28  DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

has  about  the  same  total  precipitation  as  Tougourt,  in  Algeria,  con- 
siderably more  than  Ouargla,  Algeria,  and  considerably  less  than 
Biskra,  Algeria,  and  Phoenix,  Ariz.,  the  last  two  localities  having 
nearly  the  same  total.  The  Colorado  River  Valley  and  the  Salton 
Basin  in  the  United  States  receive  considerably  less  rain  than  any  of 
these  North  African  localities.  Regarding  the  distribution  by  sea- 
sons, we  find  that  nearly  one-half  of  the  total  precipitation  falls  in 
spring  in  the  Jerid  oases,  a  larger  proportion  than  at  any  of  the  other 
localities  given  in  the  table.  The  autumnal  precipitation  is  relatively 
smaller  at  Tozer  and  at  Nefta  than  at  any  of  the  other  localities 
excepting  Volcano  Springs,  Cal.  At  Phoenix  and  Yuma,  Ariz.,  the 
rainfall  in  summer  forms  a  much  higher  proportion  of  the  total  for 
the  year  than  at  any  of  the  other  points  included  in  the  table. 

IRRIGATION  AND  DRAINAGE. 

As  the  water  supply  and  irrigation  conditions  of  the  oases  of  the 
Nefzaoua,  Gabes,  and  Gafsa  have  been  briefly  discussed  under  the 
heading  "  Geography,"  only  the  Jerid  region  will  be  treated  in  this 
place. 

WATER    SUPPLY. 

The  oases  of  the  Jerid,  unlike  those  of  the  Oued  Rlrh,  in  Algeria,0 
are  watered  by  means  of  springs  instead  of  wells.  This  is  explained 
by  the  fact  that  the  Jerid  oases  are  situated  at  the  very  base  of  the 
terrace  that  marks  the  northern  frontier  of  the  desert,  while  the  Oued 
Rirh  group  lies  well  into  the  Sahara.  Attempts  to  obtain  artesian 
water  in  the  Jerid  region  have  so  far  been  unsuccessful. 

The  springs  of  the  Jerid  are  all  situated  at  about  the  same  eleva- 
tion— 135  to  150  feet  above  sea  level.  They  originate  in  strata  of 
cretaceous  formation  at  the  base  of  the  line  of  bluffs.  As  the  springs 
are  very  numerous  and  in  many  cases  very  large,  maintaining  a  prac- 
tically constant  flow  throughout  the  year,  it  seems  unlikely  that  the 
scanty  rainfall  of  the  region  itself  can  account  for  the  abundance  of 
the  water  supply.6  The  general  temperature  of  the  water  as  it  issues 
from  the  ground  is  about  86°  F.,  and  varies  little  from  season  to 
season. 

a  See  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  pp.  44-40, 
where  the  irrigation  of  the  date  palm  in  the  Algerian  Sahara  is  described ;  also, 
Bui.  80,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  36-38,  where  this  subject  is  discussed. 

6  Holland,  Hydrologie  du  Sahara  Algerien,  pp.  182,  183,  holds  that  the  water 
which  feeds  the  springs  of  the  Jerid  must  constitute  an  artesian  sheet,  derived 
largely  from  the  eastern  spurs  of  the  Aures  Mountains  and  flowing  deep  under 
the  elevated  plain  which  abuts  on  the  shotts  of  southern  Tunis.  On  the  other 
hand,  Doumet-Adanson  (Sur  le  regime  des  eaux  qui  alimentent  les  oasis  du  Sud 
92 


WATER    SUPPLY.  29 

The  oasis  of  Nefta  is  supplied  with  water  by  a  large  number  of 
springs  that  arise  in  the  "  Corbeille,"  or  "basket"  (p.  15).  Their 
combined  flow,  amounting  to  about  292  gallons  (1,100  liters)  per  sec- 
ond, gives  rise  to  the  stream  which  waters  the  southern  part  of  the 
oasis.  This  quantity  of  water  is  estimated  by  Rolland  to  be  sufficient 
for  irrigating  the  entire  oasis  at  the  rate  of  about  2  acre-feet  per  acre 
annually. 

Taking  as  the  number  of  date  palms  existing  at  Nefta  the  mean  of 
the  two  estimates  given  on  page  15,  we  should  have  282,500  trees.  If 
the  total  supply  furnished  by  the  springs  were  divided  equally  among 
them,  each  would  receive  about  0.24  quart  per  minute,0  or  about  86 
gallons  per  day.  As  it  has  been  calculated  by  Holland  that  to  give 
the  best  results  each  date  palm  should  be  allotted  at  the  source  of  sup- 
ply 0.53  quart  (0.5  liter)  per  minute  (hence  about  190  gallons  per 
day)6  it  is  evident  that  the  supply  available  is  not  sufficient  for  the 
perfect  irrigation  of  more  than  one-half  of  the  date  palms  of  the 
oasis. 

The  140  springs  that  supply  the  oasis  of  Tozer  with  irrigating 
water  give  rise  to  a  stream  that  delivers  about  278  gallons  (1^050 
liters)  per  second;  hence  about  3,200,000  cubic  feet  daily.  This 
quantity  is  estimated  to  suffice  for  irrigating  the  oasis  at  the  rate  of 
about  1.5  acre- feet  per  acre  annually.  Assuming  that  there  are 
385,500  palms  (the  mean  of  the  two  estimates  given  on  page  16)  in 
this  oasis,  and  making  the  calculation  upon  the  same  basis  as  for 
Nefta,  the  share  of  water  at  the  source  of  supply  available  for  each 
tree  would  be  only  0.17  quart  per  minute,  or  62.4  gallons  per  day, 
which  is  less  than  one-third  the  amount  (0.53  quart  per  minute)  esti- 
mated by  Holland  as  the  optimum.0  It  should  be  noted,  however,  that 
the  distribution  of  water  among  the  different  parts  of  the  oasis  is  very 

de  la  Tunisie,  Assoc.  Frang.  Avancem.  Sciences,  1884,  p.  72)  regards  the  infil- 
tration water  drained  through  the  sands  of  the  adjacent  region  as  sufficient  to 
supply  these  springs.  He  does  not  consider  the  water  sheet  to  be  of  artesian 
character. 

a  Holland,  assuming  that  there  were  201,100  palms  at  Nefta,  calculated  that 
there  should  be  available  for  each,  at  the  source  of  supply,  0.33  liter  (0.35  quart) 
per  minute.  In  his,  as  in  the  writer's  calculation,  no  deduction  is  made  for 
the  amount  of  water  lost  to  the  palms  through  seepage  and  evaporation  from  the 
ditches,  growing  of  other  crops,  and  use  by  the  inhabitants  and  their  domestic 
animals. 

&  See  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  45. 

c  A  much  lower  estimate  has  been  made  by  M.  Minangoin,  inspector  of  agri- 
culture at  Tunis,  of  the  amount  of  water  theoretically  available  for  each  date 
palm  in  the  oasis  of  Tozer.  He  states  that  the  combined  flow  of  the  140  springs 
is  only  1,700,000  (instead  of  3,200,000)  cubic  feet  daily;  and  assuming  that  there 
are  300,000  trees  in  the  oasis,  he  arrives  at  the  figure  of  42  gallons  (160  liters) 
as  representing  the  amount  available  at  the  source  of  supply  for  each  palm  daily. 
92 


30 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


unequal,  the  palms  in  some  gardens  being  amply  and  even  super- 
abundantly irrigated,  while  thousands  of  trees  receive  no  irrigation 
whatever,  except  by  seepage.0 

There  is  some  indication  that  the  flow  of  the  springs  at  Tozer  is 
diminishing  in  volume.  It  would  appear  also  that  there  has  been  a 
gradual  lowering  of  their  level,  due  to  the  progressive  cutting  down 
of  the  beds  of  the  streams  derived  from  them,  and  that  in  consequence 
the  irrigable  area  of  the  oasis  is  diminishing.6 

In  the  oasis,  or  oasis  group,  of  El  Oudiane  60  springs  furnish  the 
water  with  which  the  gardens  are  irrigated.  They  are  generally 
smaller  than  those  of  Nefta  and  Tozer,  and  their  flow  is  said  to  be 
perceptibly  diminishing.  Their  waters  are  not  united  to  form  a  large 
stream  which  is  subsequently  divided  and  subdivided  by  dams,  as  in 
the  oases  just  described,  but  are  for  the  most  part  conducted  directly 
to  the  gardens.  These,  owing  to  the  small  width  of  the  oasis  and 
its  situation  at  the  very  foot  of  the  terrace,  are  nowhere  far  removed 
from  the  sources  of  supply. 

At  El  Hamma  there  are  15  springs  of  considerable  size,  one  of  them 
having  a  temperature  of  107.5°  F.  (42°  C.).  To  this  spring,  which 
is  much  frequented  by  the  natives  for  the  sake  of  the  hot  baths  it 
affords,  the  oasis  owes  its  name,  which  means  "  the  bath." 

A  sample  of  irrigating  water  was  collected  by  the  writer  in  the 
main  stream  of  Tozer,  above  the  first  dam  which  divides  it.  This 
water,  tested  both  at  the  moment  of  collection  and  two  months  later, 
when  the  analysis  was  made,  gave  neither  an  alkaline  nor  an  acid 
reaction.  Its  electrical  resistance  at  the  time  when  the  sample  was 
taken  was  117.3  ohms  at  60°  F.  The  chemical  analysis,  made  in  the 
laboratory  of  the  Bureau  of  Soils,  showed  209.2  parts  of  soluble 
matter  per  100,000  of  water.  The  composition  of  the  soluble  con- 
tents was  as  follows,  in  percentages  of  the  total : 

TABLE  8. — Chemical  composition  of  irrigation  water,  Tozer  oasis. 


Components  (ions). 

Conventional  combinations. 

Calcium  

8.50 

Calcium  sulphate  

28.87 

Magnesium 

4.54 

Magnesium  sulphate  

17.36 

Sodium 

9  13 

Potassium  chlorid 

23  47 

Potassium 

12.34 

Magnesium  chlorid  

4.11 

Sulphions 

34  23 

Sodium  chlorid 

16.68 

Chlorions 

24  33 

Sodium  bicarbonate 

9  51 

Carbonic  acid 

6  33 

100  00 

100.00 

o  At  Biskra,  in  Algeria,  0.12  quart  per  palm  per  minute  is  found  to  give  satis- 
factory results,  the  water  being  retained  at  the  bases  of  the  trees  in  holes  that 
are  dug  for  the  purpose.  (See  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  47.) 

6  Doumet-Adanson  (ibid.)  noticed  old  date  palms  at  Tozer  that  could  no  longer 
be  irrigated,  being  no  less  than  40  feet  above  the  present  level  of  the  springs. 
92 


IRRIGATION    SYSTEM.  31 

It  is  evident  from  this  analysis  that  the  water  afforded  by  the 
springs  of  Tozer  is  pure  enough  to  be  used  with  perfect  safety  in 
irrigating  any  crop  grown  there.  As  the  springs  of  the  other  oases 
of  the  Jerid  have  a  similar  origin  to  those  of  Tozer,  it  is  probable 
that  the  composition  of  their  waters  differs  little  from  the  foregoing. 

IRRIGATION    SYSTEM. 

Irrigation  at  Tozer  has  been  brought  to  a  higher  stage  of  develop- 
ment than  elsewhere  in  the  Jerid,  and  a  description  of  the  system  in 
use  at  Tozer  will  serve  for  the  other  oases  as  wTell.a  It  is  said  to  have 
been  elaborated  long  ago  by  an  Arab  named  Ben  Chabet,  and  to  have 
been  religiously  maintained,  unchanged  as  he  planned  it,  to  this  day. 


FIG.  2.— Irrigation  canal  and  diversion  dam,  Tozer  oasis. 

The  details  of  its  management  are  transmitted  from  father  to  son  in 
a  certain  family.  Having  perfected  the  system  at  Tozer,  Ben  Chabet 
offered  to  do  the  same  service  for  the  inhabitants  of  Nefta,  who  were 
constantly  in  dispute  over  their  water  rights,  but  their  jealousy  of 
Tozer  prevented  their  accepting  his  offer.  "French  students  of  the 
Tozer  system  praise  very  highly  the  ingenuity  and  thoroughness  with 
which  it  has  been  worked  out. 

The  main  stream  which  collects  the  waters  of  all  the  springs  of 
Tozer  is  divided  and  subdivided  by  a  series  of  dams  made  of  palm 
logs  (fig.  2)  until  the  water  reaches  the  ultimate  divisions  or  seguias 
(ditches)  which  supply  each  individual  garden.  The  log  which 

« For  a  detailed  account  of  this  system,  see  F.  Masselot,  "  Les  Dattiers  des 
Oasis  du  Djerid,"  Bui.  Dir.  Agr.  et  Com.  Tunis,  1901,  pp.  137-142. 
92 


32  DATE   VAKIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN    TUNIS. 

is  laid  across  the  canal  to  form  the  dam  is  divided  into  a  series  of 
long,  shallow  notches,  separated  by  narrow  ridges.  The  number  of 
notches  in  each  dam  corresponds  to  the  number  of  parts  into  which  the 
stream  is  to  be  divided  at  that  point.  Thus,  if  three-fifths  of  the  water 
is  to  be  diverted  into  one  of  two  branches  and  two-fifths  into  the 
other,  five  notches  are  cut,  the  water  passing  over  three  of  them 
going  to  the  first  branch  and  the  rest  to  the  second.  The  notches 
being  all  of  the  same  length  and  depth,  the  division  is  quite  accurate. 
Divisions  of  the  main  stream  down  to  the  twenty-first  part  of  the 
total  flow  are  not  transferable,  belonging  for  all  time  to  the  same 
district  of  the  oasis.  Smaller  fractions  of  the  water,  however,  can 
be  alienated,  and  there  is  much  bartering  of  water  rights  among  the 
different  proprietors  of  gardens. 

At  all  the  principal  diversion  dams,  guards  are  stationed  day  and 
night  to  prevent  any  tampering  with  the  water,  there  being  three 
guards  at  the  first  diversion  and  two  at  each  of  the  other  important 
ones.  These  guards  are  paid  with  a  bunch  of  Fteemy  dates  from  each 
garden  that  receives  water  passing  over  the  dam  they  tend,  those  at 
the  first  diversion  being  entitled  to  a  bunch  from  every  garden  in  the 
oasis.  The  "  amin,"  °  or  expert,  who  supervises  the  entire  system  has 
also  the  right  to  select  a  bunch  of  Fteemy  dates  fr6m  every  garden, 
his  being  the  first  choice  after  the  "  khammes,"  or  tenant,  of  the 
garden. 

The  principal  canals  are  kept  up  by  assessment  upon  all  the  owners 
of  gardens  supplied  by  them.  Smaller  ditches  (seguias)  must  be 
kept  in  order  by  the  tenants  of  the  gardens  served  by  them,  and  it  is 
also  the  duty  of  the  khammes  (tenant)  to  be  on  hand  at  the  small 
dam  which  diverts  water  into  his  ditch  when  it  is  the  turn  of  his 
garden  to  receive  water,  for  there  is  a  fixed  hour  for  the  irrigation 
of  each  garden. 

The  method  of  measuring  time  in  connection  with  this  irrigation 
system  is  an  interesting  one.  A  metal  cup-like  receptacle,  called  a 
"  gadous,"  is  filled  with  water  and  hung  up  in  a  convenient  place  by 
the  dam.  The  bottom  of  the  receptacle  is  perforated,  and  the  hole 
is  always  of  the  exact  size  necessary  to  let  all  the  water  run  out  in  just 
five  minutes.  The  water  that  runs  over  a  notch  in  the  dam  during 
the  time  required  for  the  gadous  to  empty  eleven  times  (hence,  in 
fifty-five  minutes)  is  sufficient  to  irrigate  thoroughly  a  garden  of 
2.4  acres  (1  hectare),  the  length  of  the  notch  being  fixed  and  its 
depth  corresponding  to  the  velocity  of  the  current. 

a  The  "  amins  "  (pronounced  "  ameens  ")  are  selected  from  among  the  older  in- 
habitants   of    the    community    for    their    knowledge    of    agricultural    matters. 
Their  function  is  to  act  as  arbiters  in  disputes  concerning  water  rights,  the  rela- 
tions between  proprietors  and  tenants,  the  sale  of  agricultural  products,  etc. 
92 


TEXTURE   OF    SOILS.  33 

The  gardens  are  divided  into  small  plots  by  means  of  banks  of 
earth,  to  facilitate  irrigation,  as  in  the  basin  method  used  in  the 
United  States.  The  water  from  the  ditch  (seguia)  is  turned  into 
the  nearest  plot  through  a  breach  made  in  its  bank,  the  ditch  being 
dammed  at  that  point  with  a  few  spadefuls  of  earth.  When  the  soil 
is  sufficiently  saturated,  the  farther  bank  is  cut,  allowing  the  water 
to  pass  on  into  the  plot  beyond ;  and  so  on,  until  the  whole  garden  has 
been  irrigated.  In  this  way  not  only  the  date  palms,  but  the  other 
fruit  trees  and  the  small  crops  among  them  that  occupy  a  portion 
of  every  garden,  are  irrigated  simultaneously. 

DRAINAGE    SYSTEM. 

Owing  to  the  situation  of  the  oases  on  the  edge  of  the  Shott  Jerid 
and  the  great  amount  of  water  used  in  irrigation,  its  soils  would  be 
completely  water-logged  were  it  not  for  the  excellent  provision  that 
has  been  made  for  drainage.  Each  garden  is  provided  with  open 
drainage  ditches,  or  "  khandaks,"  these  being  generally  about  166 
feet  apart  and  about  5  feet  deep.  They  are  constructed  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  proprietor  of  the  garden,  the  work  of  keeping  them 
open  devolving  upon  his  tenant.  Several  of  these  smaller  drains 
unite  to  form  a  large  ditch,  which  is  kept  up  by  an  association  of  the 
proprietors  whose  gardens  are  served  by  it,  each  contributing  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  his  water  right.  Finally,  at  Tozer.  all 
the  drainage  ditches  empty  into  a  main  one  called  the  "  Khandak-el- 
Kebir."  which  runs  along  the  southern  side  of  the  oasis  and  carries 
its  drainage  water  to  the  Shott  Jerid.  In  former  times,  when  Tozer 
was  frequently  raided  by  the  savage  nomadic  tribes  of  the  desert, 
this  large  drainage  ditch  also  served  the  inhabitants  as  a  moat  for 
the  defense  of  the  oasis.  Not  only  is  this  excellent  drainage  system 
useful  for  ridding  the  oasis  of  surplus  water,  but  it  renders  inesti- 
mable service  in  preventing  the  harmful  accumulation  of  salts  or 
"alkali."  (See  p.  36.) 

SOILS  OF  THE  JERID  REGION. 
TEXTURE. 

As  the  soils  of  the  Jerid  region  only  were  investigated,  the  discus- 
sion which  follows  relates  only  to  that  group  of  oases.  All  samples 
for  analysis  were  collected  at  Tozer,  but  the  composition  of  the  soils 
of  the  other  three  oases  is  probably  similar,  except  that  those  of 
Nefta  apparently  contain  a  higher  percentage  of  sand.  The  date 
palm  is  said  to  grow  most  rapidly  and  vigorously  in  the  soils  that  are 
richest  in  clay,  although  yielding  a  better  quality  of  fruit  in  the 
sandier  soils. 

30618— No.  92—06 3 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


The  following  table  gives  the  results  of  mechanical  analyses  of  the 
samples  taken,  as  furnished  by  the  Bureau  of  Soils.  Descriptions  of 
the  localities  where  each  sample  was  obtained  will  be  found  in  Table 
11,  on  page  37,  under  corresponding  numbers. 

TABLE  9. — Mechanical  analyses  of  soils  of  Tozer  oasis. 


a 
a 

a 
1 

fi 

o 

3 

a 

3 

r-  1 

d 

a 

rH 

3 

o 

a 

H 

Num- 
ber of 

Depth 
of 

Character  of  soil. 

3 

S 

d 

li 

d 

O 

pi?" 

sample. 

"> 

"§ 

$& 

3 

g 

6 

1 

a 

fl 

3d 

8 

d 

o' 

<D 

.a 

E 

1 

1 

! 

I 

i 

I 

Per 

Per 

Per 

Per 

Per 

Per 

Per 

Inches. 

cent. 

cent. 

cent. 

cent. 

cent. 

cent. 

cent. 

1 

Oto36 

Fine  sandy  clay,  water  at  36  inches 

0.3 

4.0 

4.0 

17.6 

23.1 

13.0 

38.6 

depth. 

2 
3 

Oto36 
Oto24 

Heavy,  fine  sandy  loam,  changes  to 
blue  clay  near  bottom  of  boring, 
water  at  24  inches  depth. 
Fine  sandy  clay,  water  at  12  inches 

.9 
.3 

6.3 

4.7 

6.5 
4.6 

22.1 
25.2 

36.1 
26.2 

7.8 
8.6 

20.5 
30.6 

depth. 

4 

Oto36 

Fine  sandy  clay,  water  at  36  inches 

.3 

3.2 

3.7 

19.4 

25.8 

11.2 

36.4 

depth. 

5 

Oto36 

Light,  fine  sandy  clay  

.5 

4.5 

5.3 

19.7 

34.3 

6.9 

28.7 

6 

36  to  72 

Subsoil  of  No.  5,  sandy  clay,  water 
at  60  inches  depth. 

1.4 

5.2 

5.4 

21.1 

32.5 

5.3 

26.9 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  analyses  that  the  typical  soil  of 
Tozer  oasis  is  a  mixture  of  fine  sand  and  clay,  chiefly  remarkable  for 
its  small  percentage  of  silt.  Soils  of  this  type  occur  also  in  the 
Oued  Rirh  oases  of  Algeria.  According  to  Dr.  L.  J.  Briggs,  they 
are  seldom  found  (as  soils)  in  the  United  States,  although  subsoils 
of  similar  composition  are  sometimes  met  with  in  the  Atlantic 
Coastal  Plain.  In  the  field  these  soils  do  not  impress  one  as  being 
particularly  heavy,  notwithstanding  the  large  amounts  of  clay  they 
contain.  The  discrepancy  is  probably  to  be  explained  by  the  fact 
that  they  contain  great  quantities  of  lime  in  the  form  of  calcium 
carbonate  and  of  gypsum,  calcium  sulphate.  (See  Tables  11  and  12.) 
These  salts  have  a  tendency  to  cement  the  fine  particles  of  clay  into 
masses  that  imitate  grains  of  sand  and  make  the  soil  appear  of 
coarser  texture  than  it  is  found  to  be  when  examined  in  the  labora- 
tory. In  the  process  of  mechanical  analysis  much  of  the  lime  is 
dissolved  and  the  fine  clay  particles  fall  apart.  Furthermore,  most 
of  the  relatively  insoluble  lime  is  probably  classified  as  "  clay  "  in 
computing  the  results  of  the  mechanical  analysis.  A  similar  dis- 
crepancy between  field  observations  and  laboratory  analysis  was 
noted  by  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Means  and  accounted  for  in  this  way  in 
the  case  of  soils  from  the  Oued  Rirh  oases  in  Algeria.0 

oSee  Bui.  80,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  41,  42   (1905).     Many  of  the 
samples  described  in  the  table  on  page  42  of  that  bulletin  show  a  mechanical 
composition  very  similar  to  the  samples  from  Tozer. 
02 


FERTILITY   OF   SOILS.  35 

In  well-cultivated  gardens  the  upper  few  inches  of  the  soil  contain 
a  considerable  amount  of  humus  and  are  quite  black  in  color,  as 
would  be  expected  from  the  fact  that  not  only  date  palms  and  other 
fruit  trees,  but  garden  vegetables,  forage  crops,  and  cereals  have 
been  grown  in  the  oases,  probably  without  intermission,  for  many 
hundreds  of  years. 

FERTILITY. 

As  to  the  composition  of  the  soils  of  this  oasis,  so  far  as  the  impor- 
tant elements  of  plant  food  are  concerned,  the  following  table  of  a 
chemical  analysis  by  acid  digestion  will  furnish  an  indication: 

TABLE  10. — Plant  food  constituents  of  soils  of  Tozer  oasis. 

Per  cent. 

Nitrogen    (total) 0.03 

Lime   (CaO) 13.08 

Potash    (K2O) 1.10 

Phosphoric  acid  (P2O5) .14 

The  sample  (No.  2  of  Tables  9  and  11)  was  taken  to  a  depth  of 
36  inches  in  a  well-cultivated  garden  of  young  Deglet  Noor  palms, 
amid  a  thin,  newly  planted  stand  of  alfalfa,  and  contained  only  a 
moderate  amount  of  readily  soluble  "  alkali "  salts,  as  will  be  seen 
by  reference  to  column  4  of  Table  11. 

If  it  be  permissible  to  generalize  upon  the  scanty  data  given  above, 
it  can  be  said  that  the  soils  of  Tozer  are  decidedly  low  in  nitrogen. 
When  we  consider  that  these  soils  are  continually  and  lavishly  irri- 
gated with  water  that  contains  very  little  organic  matter,  that 
manure  is  scarce,  and  that  leguminous  crops  occupy  at  no  time  more 
than  a  small  fraction  of  the  total  area  of  the  oasis,  the  poverty  of  the 
soil  in  nitrogen  is  not  remarkable.  If  the  analysis  had  been  based 
only  upon  the  surface  6  inches,  a  much  better  showing  in  this  respect 
would  doubtless  have  been  made.  Lime  is  present  in  much  larger 
quantity  than  is  usually  considered  necessary  in  the  average  cul- 
tivated soil.  Potash,  likewise,  is  present  in  far  more  than  the  usual 
proportions.  Finally,  the  phosphoric-acid  content  is  such  as  would 
generally  be  considered  satisfactory. 

According  to  the  conventional  standards  the  soils  of  Tozer  would 
therefore  be  in  all  respects  first-class,  so  far  as  plant- food  constitu- 
ents are  concerned,  were  it  not  for  their  low  nitrogen  content.  It 
would  seem  that  to  remedy  this  deficiency  the  growing  of  berseem 
(Egyptian  clover)  should  be  undertaken,  as  this  crop  ought  to  thrive 
in  the  Jerid  region,  with  its  mild  winter  climate  and  abundance  of 
irrigating  water. 

92 


36  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN    TUNIS. 

ALKALI. 

Where  the  gardens  are  well  cared  for  and  receive  frequent  irriga- 
tions, the  soils  contain  very  little  readily  soluble  salts,  and  no  trace  of 
saline  efflorescence  is  to  be  seen.  But  in  neglected  parts  of  the  oasis, 
and  especially  in  the  low-lying  lands  situated  near  the  Shott  Jerid,  the 
ground  is  often  covered  with  a  glistening  white  crust  of  salt,  often  to  a 
depth  of  half  an  inch  or  more.  Throughout  the  oasis  one  sees  pieces. of 
land  that  have  been  left  for  several  years  without  irrigation,  although 
surrounded  on  all  sides  by  well-cared-for  gardens.  While  the  soil  of 
the  gardens  only  a  few  rods  distant  does  not  contain  a  large  amount 
of  readily  soluble  salts,  the  surface  of  the  abandoned  tract  is  usually 
covered  with  a  white  efflorescence,  and  bears  a  scattered  vegetation  of 
fleshy-stemmed  "  pickle  weeds  "  or  other  salt-loving  plants  and  an 
occasional  small,  stunted  date  palm.  (PL  II,  fig.  1.) 

Obviously  all  that  is  needed  to  rid  the  soil  of  such  tracts  of  its 
excess  of  salts  and  to  render  it  in  all  respects  suitable  for  cultivation 
is  the  construction  of  drains,  coupled  with  abundant  irrigation.  The 
soils  are  light  enough  and  their  slope  is  sufficient  to  render  it  an  easy 
matter  to  wash  out  the  salt  in  a  short  time.  This  the  natives  thor- 
oughly appreciate.  The  writer  saw  several  long-neglected  gardens 
at  Tozer  that  were  in  process  of  reclamation.  In  commencing  opera- 
tions the  ground  is  worked  over  to  a  depth  of  3  feet  (PL  II,  fig.  2), 
and  in  case  a  heavy  crust  of  salt  has  accumulated  this  is  frequently 
scraped  off  and  carted  away.  The  latter  operation  is  unnecessary, 
although  doubtless  helping  to  shorten  the  period  of  reclamation. 
Nowhere  in  the  Jerid  does  there  appear  to  be  the  least  difficulty  in 
reclaiming  salt  land  if  this  method  of  flooding  is  followed.  At 
Nefta,  especially  in  the  part  of  the  oasis  nearest  the  shott,  new  gar- 
dens of  date  palms  are  being  established  in  land  that  is  white  with  salt 
(PL  VII,  fig.  2).  The  natives  agree  that  this  can  be  removed  very 
rapidly  and  completely  if  proper  methods  are  used. 

In  the  following  table  are  presented  the  results  of  chemical  analy- 
ses of  soil  samples  taken  in  different  parts  of  the  oasis  of  Tozer, 
the  first  six  numbers  being  identical  with  those  in  the  table  of  mechan- 
ical analyses  on  page  34. 

92 


ALKALI    IN    SOILS. 


37 


TABLE  11. — Chemical  composition  of  soils  of  Tozer  oasis. 


Percentages  of 

water-soluble  com- 

Percent- 

ponents based  on 

age  of  cal- 

dry weight  of  soil. 

cium  car- 

No. of 
sam- 
pie. 

Description  of  locality  where  sample  was 
taken. 

Depth  of 
sample. 

bonate 
based  on 
dry 
weight  of 
soil  by 

Calculated 
from  elec- 
trical re- 

SIS  tflllCG 

By  chem- 
ical analy- 
sis of  solu- 
tion in  20 

of  saturat- 

,-./!    a/vn 

parts 
water  to  1 

acid  diges- 
tion. 

eci  son. 

part  soil. 

Inches. 

1 

Open  ground,  surrounded  by  date  gar- 
dens, much  white  saline  efflorescence 

2 
3 

on  surface;  growth  of  salt-loving  weeds. 
In  garden  adjoining  No.  1,  among  young, 
thrifty  Deglet  Noor  palms  planted  the 
year  before  in  a  thin  stand  of  alfalfa  
In  land,  recently  broken  up  for  reclama- 

Oto36 
Oto36 

2.90 
.54 

6.58 
5.33 

14.29 
12.84 

tion,   of   a   neglected    garden   where 

palms  had  suffered  from  lack  of  irri- 

gation 

0  to  24 

.20 

4.82 

10.24 

4 

In  land  still  uncleared  and  covered  with 

a  dense  growth  of  weeds  and  grass,  in 

SUTlKi  ff8*rd.6Il  Q.S  !No    »i 

0  to  36 

.30 

5.37 

16.32 

5 

In  unirrigated  land  lying  higher  than 
surrounding   gardens;   heavy  efflores- 
cence; scattered,  stunted  palms;  growth 
of  salt-loving  weeds  -                         

Oto36 

.58 

3.99 

13.73 

6 

Same  boring  as  No  5,  lower  depth 

36  to  72 

.96 

5.78 

11.95 

7 

In  garden  among   young   Deglet   Noor 
palms  and  a   good  stand  of   alfalfa; 

water  at  36  inches 

0  to  36 

.2 

8 

In  unirrigated  land  outside   garden  in 

which  No.  7  was  taken,  amid  a  growth 

of  salt-loving  grass  and  rushes;  water 

at  24  inches 

Oto36 

.97 

9 

Saline  crust  from  neighborhood  of  main 
drainage  ditch;  very  little  vegetation  .  . 

Oto   1 

54.1 

5.39 

The  following  table  gives  the  composition  of  the  totals  of  water- 
soluble  salts,  of  which  the  percentages,  based  on  dry  weight  of  soil, 
are  given  in  column  5  of  the  preceding  table : 

TABLE  12. — Composition  of  water-soluble  salts  in  soils  of  Tozer  oasis. 


Number 
of  sample. 

Constituents,  by  analysis. 

Ca. 

Mg. 

Na. 

K. 

SO4. 

Cl. 

HCO3. 

P04. 

1 

18.49 
25.19 
21.19 
21.34 
24.71 
24.78 
3.39 

3.31 

1.50 
.83 
1.12 
2.10 
1.55 
4.70 

6.53 
.34 
4.81 
3.76 
1.00 
.62 
21.36 

2.22 

2.84 
3.86 
4.81 
1.65 
3.18 
2.41 

54.95 
65.97 
67.56 
65.61 
63.23 
64.83 
50.63 

13.23 
2.36 
Tr. 
1.57 
4.90 
3.38 
17.17 

1.27 
1.80 
1.75 
1.79 
2.41 
1.66 
.34 

Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 

2... 

3 

4 

5... 

6... 

9 

Number 
of  sample. 

Conventional  combinations,  calculated. 

CaSO4. 

MgS04. 

MgCl2. 

KC1. 

K2S04. 

KHCO3. 

NaHCC3. 

NaCl. 

Na2SO4. 

1... 

62.82 
85.57 
71.99 
72.51 
83.92 
84.20 
11.52 

13.29 
7.05 
4.11 
5.32 
5.01 
6.81 
23.27 

2.49 
.30 

4.22 
4.46 

1.73 
1.31 
2.37 
2.46 
3.31 
2.28 
.47 

15.45 

2 

1.31 

3... 

8.59 

12.94 
x     6.44 

4 

10  71 

2.56 
.30 

5... 

4.31 

.66 

3.15 

6.05 
4.59 

6... 

9 

24.73 

35.42 

38  DATE    VAKIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

Upon  examination  of  the  data  given  in  Table  11,  a  striking  dis- 
crepancy is  seen  to  exist  between  the  percentages  of  water-soluble 
components  to  dry  weight  of  soil,  as  stated  in  columns  4  and  5,  re- 
spectively. By  reference  to  Table  12,  however,  the  explanation  is 
found  to  be  simple.  In  taking  the  electrical  resistance  of  the  sample, 
the  soil  was  mixed  with  just  a  sufficient  quantity  of  distilled  water 
to  bring  it  to  the  point  of  saturation,  which  in  soils  of  this  texture 
was  found  to  be  about  30  per  cent  of  the  dry  weight  of  the  soil ;  and 
the  reading  is  taken  as  soon  as  the  soil  and  water  are  thoroughly 
mixed.  In  making  the  chemical  analyses,  on  the  other  hand,  one 
part  of  soil  is  digested  in  20  parts  of  water,  and  the  mixture  is 
allowed  to  stand  twenty-four  hours  to  bring  it  to  an  equilibrium 
before  it  is  filtered.®  By  the  second  method  the  soil  is  in  contact 
with  from  60  to  100  times  as  much  water  as  by  the  first  method,  and 
for  nearly  288  times  as  long.  Consequently  a  great  amount  of  cal- 
cium sulphate  goes  into  solution  when  the  soil  is  prepared  for  chem- 
ical analysis  that  remains  in  the  solid  state  and  is  hence  unaccounted 
for  in  the  samples  as  made  up  for  a  test  of  electrical  resistance.  By 
reference  to  column  2  of  Table  12  it  is  seen  that  (except  in  sample 
9)  calcium  sulphate  amounts  to  from  60  to  85  per  cent  of  the  total 
water-soluble  matter,  of  which  only  an  insignificant  fraction  can  be 
dissolved  in  the  amount  of  water  and  with  the  limited  time  allowed 
for  taking  the  electrical  resistance. 

It  should  be  said  in  this  connection  that  experiments  have  shown 
a  saturated,  pure  solution  of  calcium  sulphate  to  be  harmless  and  even 
beneficial  to  plants,  and  that  an  excess  of  calcium  sulphate  in  the  pres- 
ence of  magnesium  and  sodium  salts  has  an  extraordinary  influence 
in  modifying  the  toxic  action  of  the  latter.6  The  calculations  of 
water-soluble  contents  of  the  soil  based  upon  the  electrical  resist- 
ance, although  confessedly  only  rough  approximations,  are  of  some 
value  as  indicating  the  amount  of  the  readily  soluble  and  actually 
harmful  saline  contents  of  the  soil.  On  the  other  hand,  they  do 
not  include  the  gypsum  or  calcium  sulphate  that  is  present,  and 
thus  do  not  tell  the  whole  story.  If  the  latter  were  merely  neutral, 
it  could  simply  be  deducted  from  the  total  salts  as  ascertained  by 
chemical  analysis;  but  as  it  plays  an  important  part  in  counter 
acting  the  effect  of  the  sodium  and  magnesium  salts,  its  presence  can 
not  be  ignored. 

a  For  a  description  of  the  methods  used,  see  Cameron  in  Bui.  18,  Bureau  of 
Soils,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  pp.  GG  and  67.  For  a  discussion  at  some  length 
of  the  significance  of  the  high  gypsum  content  of  these  soils,  see  W.  T. 
Swingle,  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  73  and  74. 

&  Compare  Kearney  and  Cameron  in  Report  No.  71,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture, 
p.  39. 
92 


ALKALI   IN    SOILS.  39 

Turning  to  Table  12,  let  us  compare  the  different  samples  as  to  their 
chemical  composition.  We  notice  at  once  that  sulphuric  acid  is  the 
acid  and  calcium  the  base  which  largely  predominate  in  all  of  them, 
excepting  sample  No.  9.  The  latter,  consisting  of  the  efflorescence 
that  is  brought  out  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  by  the  combined  action 
of  capillarity  and  evaporation,  is  necessarily  deficient  in  the  slightly 
soluble  calcium  salts.0  In  the  crust,  as  well  as  in  the  soils,  however, 
sulphuric  acid  is  by  far  the  most  important  constituent.  We  may 
therefore  regard  the  "  alkali  "  of  Tozer  oasis  as  of  the  sulphate  type.b 

Free  carbonates  were  not  detected  by  the  phenolphthalein  test,  either 
in  the  field  or  in  the  laboratory,  except  in  the  crust  (sample  No.  9), 
in  which  a  very  faint  alkaline  reaction  was  observed  upon  testing 
the  freshly  collected  sample.  In  all  other  cases  the  reaction  was 
neutral,  not  only  at  the  time  the  samples  were  collected,  but  four 
months  afterwards  when  examined  in  the  laboratory.  "  Black  al- 
kali," therefore,  apparently  does  not  exist  in  Tozer  oasis.  The  high 
percentages  of  calcium  carbonate  obtained  by  acid  digestion  of  the 
soils  (see  column  6  of  Table  11)  would  suggest  the  possibility  of  its 
formation  under  certain  conditions  were  it  not  for  the  relatively 
small  amount  of  sodium  and  the  great  quantity  of  calcium  and 
sulphuric  acid  present. 

The  percentages  of  potassium  and  of  carbonic  acid  differ  compara- 
tively little  in  the  different  samples,  while  those  of  sodium  and  of 
hydrochloric  acid  show  very  considerable  variation.  The  relatively 
small  part  played  by  hydrochloric  acid  is  surprising,  when  we  con- 
sider that  in  the  adjacent  Shott  Jerid  mines  of  table  salt  exist.  The 
smooth  crust  of  salt  that  covers  the  bottom  of  the  shott  has  the 
appearance  of  containing  a  higher  percentage  of  sodium  chlorid  than 
do  the  efflorescences  upon  the  soils  of  the  oases,  the  latter  being  of  the 
fluffy,  powdery  aspect  which  the  presence  of  a  large  amount  of  sul- 
phates generally  produces. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  difference  in  composition  between  the 
efflorescence  (sample  No.  9)  and  the  soil  solutions  (samples  Nos.  1 
to  6).  In  addition  to  the  very  small  percentage  of  calcium  in  the 
crust,  as  compared  with  the  soil  samples,  we  remark  in  the  crust  a 
considerably  higher  percentage  of  magnesium,  a  very  much  higher 
percentage  of  sodium  and  of  hydrochloric  acid,  and  a  much  lower 

a  In  discussing  "  alkali  "  soils  of  Utah,  Gardner  and  Jensen  ( Field  Operations 
of  the  Division  of  Soils  for  1900,  p.  231)  remark:  "Lime  is  always  present  in 
the  soil  alkali  in  appreciable  amounts,  whereas  in  the  crusts  it  is  usually 
absent." 

&  In  the  soils  of  the  Oued  Rirh  oases,  in  Algeria,  also,  sulphates  generally  pre- 
dominate over  chlorids,  although  the  converse  is  frequently  true.  (See  Bui.  53, 
Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  96;  and  Bui.  80,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  46.) 
92 


40 


DATE    VAKIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


percentage  of  carbonic  acid.     In  respect  to  potash  and  sulphuric  acid 
the  difference  is  not  noteworthy. 

It  remains  to  consider  the  composition  of  the  drainage  water.  A 
sample  was  taken  from  the  "  Khandak-el-Kebir,"  the  main  drainage 
ditch  of  the  oasis  of  Tozer  (see  p.  33),  at  a  point  some  distance  beyond 
the  last  garden  toward  the  shott.  This  sample,  like  that  of  the  irri- 
gation water  described  on  page  30,  after  having  been  kept  for  two 
months  in  a  rubber-stoppered  bottle,  remained  perfectly  sweet  and 
good.  Tested  with  phenolphthalein  as  soon  as  it  Avas  collected,  the 
water  showed  a  very  faint  pinkish  opalescence,  indicating  a .  slight 
trace  of  free  carbonates.  An  analysis  of  this  sample  in  the  labora- 
tories of  the  Bureau  of  Soils  showed  the  presence  of  530.4  parts  of 
salts  per  100,000  of  water,  which  is  a  little  more  than  two  and  one-half 
times  the  amount  found  in  the  irrigating  water  (see  p.  30).  Water 
of  this  concentration  could  be  safely  used  in  irrigating  many  crops,0 
and  considering  the  fact  that  the  drains  penetrate  everywhere,  and 
that  the  sample  was  collected  at  a  season  (February  5)  when  compara- 
tively little  irrigation  is  going  on,  its  relatively  small  salt  content 
indicates  that  the  soils  of  the  oasis  generally  are  not  highly  saline. 

TABLE  13. — Chemical  composition  of  drainage  water,  Tozer  oasis. 


Percentages  of  different  constituen 

ts. 

Conventional  combinations. 

Calcium 

9  97 

Calcium  sulphate 

33  88 

Magnesium  

5.30 

Magnesium  sulphate     .  .  . 

16.54 

Sodium 

8.67 

Potassium  chlorid 

16  70 

Potassium  

8.77 

Magnesium  chlorid  

7.69 

Sulphions 

37.11 

SndiviTn  chlorid 

14.80 

Chlorions 

22  64 

Sodium  bicarbonate 

10  39 

Carbonic  acid  

7.54 

100  00 

100.00 

Comparing  the  percentage  composition  of  the  saline  matters  in 
the  drainage  water  with  that  of  the  irrigation  water,  we  find  a 
remarkably  close  agreement.  As  compared  with  the  soil  samples 
(Nos.  1  to  6  in  Table  12),  the  drainage  water  contains  relatively 
much  more  magnesium,  sodium,  and  potassium  and  very  much  less 
calcium.  In  respect  to  acid  constituents  there  is  relatively  much  less 
sulphuric  acid  and  much  more  hydrochloric  and  carbonic  acids.  In 
comparison  with  the  salt  crust,  of  which  a  sample  was  taken  near  the 
spot  where  the  water  sample  was  collected  (sample  9  in  Table  12), 
the  drainage  water  contains  relatively  much  more  calcium,  potassium, 
and  carbonic  acid  and  considerably  more  hydrochloric  acid.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  is  much  poorer  in  sodium  and  is  considerably  poorer  in 
sulphuric  acid  than  is  the  crust. 

a  See  T.  H.  Means,  Circ.  10,  Bureau  of  Soils ;  and  Bui.  80,  Bureau  of  Plant 
Industry,  p.  38. 
92 


SIZE  AND   VALUE    OF   DATE   GARDENS.  41 

When  we  consider  the  great  predominance  of  calcium  sulphate 
and  the  absence  of  easily  soluble  carbonates  ("  black  alkali ")  in  the 
soils  of  Tozer  oasis,  it  is  apparent  that  the  type  of  "  alkali "  occur- 
ring there  is  a  relatively  harmless  one.  In  view  of  the  relatively 
small  percentages  of  readily  soluble  salts,  as  indicated  by  the  elec- 
trical resistances  of  the  soils  of  well-kept  gardens,  and  taking  into 
account  the  thorough  drainage  system  of  the  oasis,  the  "  alkali " 
problem  can  not  be  regarded  as  a  very  serious  one  in  this  region. 

CTTLTUBE  OF  THE  DATE  PALM. 

As  the  gardens  of  the  Jerid  only  were  investigated  in  "any  detail, 
the  following  notes  relate  principally  to  that  region,  although  most 
of  the  observations  are  doubtless  equally  applicable  to  the  other  oases 
of  southern  Tunis.  Cultural  methods  could  not  be  given  the  thor- 
ough investigation  the  subject  warrants,  the  writer's  time  having  been 
mainly  taken  up  in  studying  the  characters  of  the  different  varieties 
and  in  getting  together  the  collection  of  offshoots  for  shipment  to 
the  United  States.  Yet  it  is  thought  that  some  of  the  information 
obtained  will  offer  useful  suggestions  to  future  date  growers  in  this 
country.  The  following  discussion  is  based  partly  upon  notes  obli- 
gingly furnished  by  M.  Minangoin,  inspector  of  agriculture  at 
Tunis,  and  upon  the  published  paper  of  M.  Masselot,0  and  partly 
upon  data  obtained  by  observation  and  by  questioning  the  inhabit- 
ants. In  regard  to  the  latter  source  of  information,  it  should  be 
said  that  while  the  cultural  methods  used  by  the  Arabs  appear  to  have 
generally  a  common-sense  foundation,  the  reasons  which  they  give 
for  their  practices  are  often  extremely  childish.  As  a  rule,  they  fol- 
low slavishly  the  precepts  that  have  been  handed  down  to  them  by 
wiser  ancestors,  without  concerning  themselves  about  why  they  do 
this  or  that.  Yet,  occasionally  one  meets  an  intelligent  native  who 
can  give  a  rational  explanation  of  most  of  his  proceedings. 

SIZE  AND  VALUE   OF   THE    GARDENS. 

The  size  of  the  date  gardens  varies  greatly.  The  largest  in  the 
Jerid  is  said  to  be  that  of  Dobech,  at  Nefta,  in  which  there  are  2,800 
palms.  The  writer  was  told  that  the  annual  revenue  from  this  garden 
is  from  $4,500  to  $5,000.  At  Tozer  the  largest  garden,  that  known 
as  "  Mahaleb,"  is  said  to  yield  the  owner  $3,400  a  year.  The  garden 
of  Tishta,  at  Nefta,  is  remarkable  for  the  large  number  of  varieties 
it  contains.  It  was  formerly  the  property  of  a  caid,  whose  hobby 
it  was  to  collect  as  many  different  sorts  as  possible.  Practically  all 

«  Les  Dattiers  des  Oasis  du  Djerid.     Bui.  Dir.  Agr.  et  Com.,  Tunis,  1901,  pp. 
114-161. 
92 


42  DATE   VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

of  the  gardens  in  the  Jerid  belong  to  natives.  French  capital  has  not 
been  engaged  here,  as  in  the  Oued  Rirh  oases  of  Algeria,  in  estab- 
lishing plantations  of  date  palms. 

According  to  official  estimates  there  should  be  about  96  trees  to  the 
acre  in  the  gardens  of  Tozer,  but  in  reality  they  are  much  more 
densely  crowded,  only  taxable  palms,  i.  e.,  those  in  full  bearing,  being 
enumerated  by  the  census  takers.  As  many  proprietors  estimate  the 
value  of  their  gardens  at  the  rate  of  $19  per  tree  in  full  bearing,  an 
acre  containing  96  date  palms  in  good  condition  would  be  worth 
$1,824.  But  since  the  value  of  a  palm  depends  largely  upon  the 
variety  to  which  it  belongs,  and  as  most  of  the  gardens  contain  many 
trees  of  inferior  varieties  mixed  with  the  better  sorts,  it  is  probable 
that  the  figure  mentioned  is  too  high  as  an  average  for  the  whole 
region.  On  the  other  hand,  an  acre  of  Deglet  Noor  palms  in  full 
bearing  would  doubtless  be  worth  even  more ;  but  there  are  very  few 
gardens  in  the  Tunis  oases  in  which  the  Deglet  Noor  variety  consti- 
tutes even  one-half  of  the  total  number  of  trees.  At  Nefta,  according 
to  official  estimates,  the  average  number  of  trees  per  acre  is  125,  while 
in  the  neglected  oasis  of  El  Hamma  it  is  only  from  62  to  75. 

Each  garden  is  surrounded  by  a  "  tabia,"  or  wall  of  mud,  sur- 
mounted by  a  palisade  of  palm  leaves,  the  whole  being  generally 
5  or  6  feet  high. 

LABOR  AND  TENANTRY  SYSTEM. 

Labor  is  abundant  and  very  cheap  in  that  part  of  the  world.  The 
inhabitants  of  the  oases,  having  devoted  themselves  for  many  cen- 
turies to  the  culture  of  the  date  palm,  are  thoroughly  familiar  with 
every  detail  of  it,  although  the  great  majority  of  them  carry  on  the 
necessary  operations  instinctively  rather  than  intelligently.  For  the 
ordinary  work  of  the  gardens  an  abundance  of  labor  is  available ;  but 
for  operations  demanding  especial  skill,  such  as  detaching  suckers 
for  planting,  pollinating  the  flower  clusters,  and  gathering  the  fruits 
of  the  best  varieties,  experts  are  required,  and  these  are  much  less 
numerous. 

At  Nefta  and  at  El  Oudiane  many  of  the  owners  manage  their  own 
gardens,  while  others  employ  a  tenant,  or  "  khammes."  At  Tozer 
the  latter  system  is  all  but  universal,  and  in  consequence  the  gardens 
are  often  less  well  kept.  The  khammes  is  so-called  from  the  fact 
that  he  is  supposed  to  receive  one-fifth  of  the  product  of  the  gardens, 
khammes  being  the  Arabic  word  for  "  fifth."  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
this  manner  of  payment  no  longer  obtains  in  the  Jerid.  Nowadays 
the  khammes  is  entitled  to  one-eighth  of  the  yield  of  trees  of  all 
varieties,  except  the  Deglet  Noor,  and  to  one  bunch  of  fruit  from  each 
ten  trees  of  the  latter  kind.  In  addition,  he  is  permitted  to  raise 

92 


PKOPAGATION  OF  DATE  PALMS.  43 

vegetables,  forage  crops,  and  grain  in  the  gardens  (PL  VII,  fig.  2) 
and  he  is  allowed  as  much  as  he  wishes  of  these  products  for  his  own 
use,  besides  one- fourth  of  the  proceeds  of  what  is  sold. 

In  return,  the  khammes  is  expected  not  only  to  carry  on  all  the 
work  of  the  garden — irrigation,  cultivation,  manuring,  pollinating 
the  female  flower  clusters,  etc. — and  to  keep  in  repair  the  ditches 
for  irrigation  (seguias)  and  those  for  drainage  (khandaks),  as  well 
as  the  walls  (tabias),  but,  when  he  has  any  spare  time,  to  do  domestic 
service  for  the  proprietor.  During  the  season  when  the  fruit  is 
ripening  and  needs  to  be  guarded  night  and  day  to  prevent  its  being 
stolen  the  khammes  and  his  sons  often  camp  in  the  garden,  inhabiting 
a  small  tent  or  even  sleeping  in  the  open.  At  other  times  the  garden- 
ers and  their  families  live  in  the  towns,  going  each  morning  afoot 
or  on  donkey  back  to  their  work.  There  are  no  permanent  habita- 
tions among  the  gardens,  as  the  towns,  being  situated  on  higher,  dry 
land  (PL  VI,  fig.  3),  are  considered  healthier.  Even  under  these 
circumstances,  however,  the  population  of  the  Jerid  is  ravaged  in 
summer  and  early  autumn  by  malaria.  The  population,  as  a  whole, 
is  anemic,  feeble,  and  subject  to  various  diseases,  notwithstanding  the 
fine  winter  climate. 

PROPAGATION. 

In  Tunis,  as  elsewhere  in  the  Sahara,  the  date  palm  is  intention- 
ally propagated  only  by  means  of  the  offshoots  that  spring  from  the 
base  of  the  trunk  (PL  V),  which,  in  well-cared-for  gardens,  are 
taken  only  from  trees  belonging  to  good  varieties  and  known  for 
the  quality  of  their  fruit.  But  in  neglected  gardens  and  in  waste 
ground  many  seedlings  ("  el  hachana ")  spring  up  fortuitously, 
and  in  this  way  doubtless  the  many  varieties  have  arisen.  Seedling 
palms  are,  of  course,  rarely  true  to  type,  although  the  writer  was 
gravely  assured  by  an  intelligent  Arab  that  to  make  them  come  true 
it  is  only  necessary  to  transplant  them  two  or  three  times,  and  that 
this  method  is  sometimes  resorted  to  when  suckers  are  not  procurable, 
in  order  to  perpetuate  very  rare  varieties  ! 

Manuring  and  watering  freely  are  said  to  stimulate  suckering,  and 
the  construction  of  a  "  dokana,"  or  circular  mound  of  earth  and 
clay  a  (PL  V,  fig.  2),  around  the  base  of  the  palm  is  a  good  way  to 
obtain  strong,  well-rooted  offshoots.  If  an  offshoot  starts  from  the 
trunk  some  distance  above  the  surface  of  the  soil  it  can  be  made  to 
take  root  by  cutting  away  the  outer  leaves  and  fastening  a  basket 
filled  with  earth  around  its  base.  Offshoots  produced  by  palms 
growing  in  open  places,  unshaded  by  other  trees,  are  considered  to 

a  Illustrated  also  in  Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  PI.  V,  fig.  1. 
92 


44 


DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


give  the  best  results."  Some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Jerid  are  of 
the  opinion  that  offshoots  developed  in  unirrigated  and  salty  land 
make  more  vigorous  palms  than  those  grown  in  well-tended,  fre- 
quently irrigated  gardens.  It  is  possible,  at  least,  that  such  off- 
shoots are  hardier  at  the  start  and  are  less  likely  to  perish  in  the 
early  stages  of  growth. 

The  offshoots  are  generally  of  sufficient  size  to  transplant  when 
two  or  three  years  old,  but  they  must  not  be  taken  up  until  they  are 
well  rooted.  The  natives  say  they  are  of  the  best  size  for  planting 
when  about  as  large  as  a  camel's  head  at  the  base, 
but  while  still  without  a  well- formed  trunk  above 
ground.  One  offshoot  is  generally  left  attached 
to  each  palm  when  the  others  are  removed,  in  order 
to  replace  it  when  it  dies  "or  be- 
comes unproductive.  When  this 
in  turn  produces  offshoots,  one 
of  these  is  retained,  and  so  on. 
Hence  it  is  not  unusual  to  see 
trunks  belonging  to  several  gener- 
ations all  still  attached  to  the  same 
parent  stock.  (PL  V,  fig.  2.)  It 
must  be  remembered  that  a  date 
palm  generally  ceases  to  sucker 
after  it  is  10  to  15  years  old. 

The  price  paid  for  offshoots  in 
the  Jerid  depends  upon  the  variety,  Deglet  Noor 
offshoots  selling  for  from  57  to  75  cents  apiece, 
while  those  of  most  other  varieties  cost  only  from 
19  to  57  cents. 

Considerable  skill  is  required  in  detaching  the  FIG.  4.-Date  picker 
offshoots  from  the  parent  stem.  First,  all  but  the 
innermost  leaves  are  cut  off  near  the  base,  and  those 
that  are  left  are  often  fastened  together  with  a 
shred  of  palm  leaf,  to  prevent  their  being  broken 
during  the  operations.  Next,  a  hole  of  some  size  is  dug  around  the 
offshoot  with  a  pick  or  with  the  "  messah,"  a  short-handled  hoe. 
This  tool  (fig.  3  and  PL  II,  fig.  2)  is  quite  unlike  the  Egyptian 
"  fass,"  6  having  a  much  larger,  shovel-like  blade,  with  the  handle 
so  attached  as  to  be  nearly  parallel  with  the  blade  instead  of  at  right 
angles  to  it.  At  the  same  time  all  the  roots  that  oan  be  reached  are 
cut  off  close  to  the  base  by  means  of  a  "  mengel,"  a  tool  with  the 

a  The  belief  among  the  natives  is  that  an  offshoot  must  receive  plenty  of 
moonlight  in  order  to  become  a  strong  palm ! 

6  Illustrated  in  Bui.  130,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations,  U.  S.  Dept  of  Agrj- 
culture,  1903,  p.  39. 
03 


FIG.  3. — Laborer  hold- 
ing a  "messah,"  or 
short-handled  hoe. 


holding  a  "men- 
gel,"  or  straight- 
bladed  sickle,  used 
for  cutting  off  the 
bunches  of  dates. 


PREPARING  THE  LAND  FOR  DATE  PALMS. 


45 


shank  and  blade  made  in  one  piece  of  wrought  iron  and  fitted  with 
n  wooden  handle.  It  somewhat  resembles  a  sickle,  but  has  a  straight, 
heavy,  saw-edged  blade  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  shank  (fig.  4). 
One  man  then  grasps  the  offshoot  and  pulls  down  on  it,  while  an- 
other, armed  with  a  chisel  or  a  pick,  pries  it  loose  at  its  point  of 
junction  with  the  parent  tree.  The  remaining  roots  are  now  cut 
off,  and  the  sucker  is  ready  to  be  planted.  The  cost  of  thus  remov- 
ing a  sucker  is  generally  6  cents. 

If  the  offshoot  is  to  be  transported  a  considerable  distance  before 
it  is  planted,  it  must  be  protected  from  drying  by  a  wrapping  of  the 
coarse  fiber  (leef)  that  invests  the  bases  of  the  leaf  stalks  of  the  date 
palm  (fig.  5)  or  of  some  similar  material. 

PREPARING  THE  LAND. 

The  methods  used  in  preparing  the  soil,  especially  if  it  contains 
u  alkali,"  are  essentially  the  same  whether  the  plantation  is  to  be 
made  in  new  land  or  in  an 
old  garden  that  has  been 
neglected.  First,  the  irri- 
gation and  drainage  ditches 
are  dug  or  are  cleaned  out. 
Next,  the  soil  is  worked 
thoroughly  to  a  depth  of 
3  to  6  feet  with  the  short- 
handled  hoe,  or  messah, 
this  operation  being  accom- 
plished by  digging  a  trench 
of  the  required  depth  at 
one  side  of  the  garden  and 
then  working  across.  All 

atones,  masses  of  gypsum,  etc.,  encountered  are  carefully  removed. 
The  whole  garden  is  then  flooded  to  wash  out  whatever  salt  has  ac- 
cumulated near  the  surface  of  the  soil.  When  that  is  accomplished, 
in  order  to  facilitate  irrigation  the  garden  is  divided  up  into  "  lands  " 
that  vary  greatly  in  size,  but  rarely  exceed  120  square  yards  (1  are). 
A  donkey  load  of  manure,  carefully  freed  from  straw,  is  frequently 
worked  into  the  soil  of  each  "  land."  Often,  during  the  next  two  or 
three  years,  only  vegetables,  especially  turnips,  cabbage,  and  carrots, 
are  grown  before  date  palms  are  planted.  It  costs  14^  cents  to  dig 
15  feet  of  drainage  ditch  of  the  ordinary  depth  (5  feet),  and  from 
4f  to  13  cents  annually  to  keep  the  same  length  in  repair.  Breaking 
up  the  ground  with  a  messah  costs  from  28^  to  $1.25  per  20  square 
feet,  according  to  the  depth  of  the  hoeing  and  the  character  of  the 
land. 
92 


FIG.   5.— Camel    carrying  date   offshoots  wrapped  in 
palm  fiber  (leef)  for  transportation. 


46  DATE   VAKIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

PLANTING. 

Planting  is  done  in  the  Jerid  during  the  months  of  March  to  June. 
It  is  said  that  in  well-drained  soils  it  can  be  begun  with  safety  as 
early  as  March  1,  but  in  very  wet  land  must  be  postponed  until  a 
month  later.  At  Gabes  the  amins  say  that  if  offshoots  are  detached 
in  March,  after  the  sap  has  begun  to  flow  freely  in  the  palm,  the 
chances  of  their  growing  are  better  than  if  taken  earlier,  although 
they  can  be  removed  with  little  risk  as  early  as  February  15. 

In  the  newer  gardens  of  the  Jerid  the  palms  are  generally  set  in 
with  some  attempt  at  alignment  (PI.  VII,  fig.  2)  at  intervals  of  15 
to  30  feet  each  way,  30  feet  being  recognized  as  quite  sufficient  for 
obtaining  the  maximum  yields.0  In  the  older  gardens,  as  pointed 
out  above,  the  trees  stand  at  very  irregular  intervals  and  are  often 
much  crowded  (Pis.  I.  and  IV,  fig.  2).  The  holes  made  to  receive  the 
offshoots  are  usually  3^  feet  in  diameter  and  about  1|  feet  deep  in  new 
land,  while  in  replacing  an  old  or  diseased  palm  the  hole  is  made 
3  to  6  feet  deep,  probably  in  order  that  as  much  as  possible  of  the 
ol$  soil  may  be  removed.  The  hole  is  then  filled  with  well-washed 
sand,  which  is  trodden  down  firmly  around  the  base  of  the  offshoot 
as  soon  as  it  is  set  in  and  again  after  the  first  irrigation. 

A  practice  that  is  highly  recommended,  particularly  in  gardens 
where  the  water  table  is  high,  is  that  of  placing  stones  in  the  bottom 
of  the  hole  so  as  to  support  the  base  of  the  offshoot,  thus  insuring 
good  drainage.  This  custom  has  fallen  into  disuse  in  the  Jerid,  but 
when  old  trees  are  dug  up  there  it  is  said  that  stones  are  frequently 
found  among  their  roots.  The  practice  still  prevails  in  the  Mzab 
oases  of  Algeria.6 

It  frequently  happens  that  the  offshoot  is  more  or  less  curved.  To 
make  it  develop  into  a  straight  palm,  it  is  recommended  to  plant  it 
with  the  concave  side  facing  southeast,  "  like  a  man  saying  his 
prayers,"  as  the  Arabs  express  it.  The  young  palm,  thus  receiving 
more  of  the  sun's  rays  on  its  concave  than  on  its  convex  side,  gradu- 
ally becomes  straight.0 

a  There  is  a  proverb  current  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  Mzab  oases  in 
Algeria  (quoted  by  Charlet,  Les  Palmiers  du  Mzab,  Bui.  Soc.  Geogr.  d'Alger, 
1905)  to  the  effect  that  "If  one  plants  at  30  cubits,  one  has  dates  without 
trouble;  if  one  plants  at  20  cubits,  one  has  them  only  by  taking  great  pains; 
but  if  one  plants  at  10  cubits,  it  is  labor  wasted." 

&  Charlet,  Les  Palmiers  du  Mzab,  Bui.  Soc.  Geogr.  d'Alger,  1905. 

cThe  same  practice  occurs  in  the  Mzab  oases,  according  to  Charlet  (Bui.  Soc. 
Geogr.  d'Alger,  1905).  This  author  makes  the  interesting  statement  that  suckers 
sometimes  finally  grow  that  have  shown  no  sign  of  life  for  one  and  one-half  to 
two  years  after  being  planted.  The  natives  say  that  growth  can  sometimes 
be  started  in  such  a  case  by  transplanting  to  another  part  of  the  garden.  They 
believe  that  the  offshoot  had  willfully  refused  to  grow  in  its  first  station  on 
account  of  the  dislike  it  had  taken  to  some  neighboring  palm. 
92 


IRRIGATION    OP    DATE    PALMS.  47 

The  cost  of  planting  a  palm  is  about  2^  cents,  but  in  already  estab- 
lished gardens  the  work  of  replacing  old  or  diseased  palms  is  part  of 
the  regular  duties  of  the  khammes,  or  tenant,  for  which  he  receives 
no  extra  compensation. 

The  young  palm  is  usually  sheltered  by  a  tentlike  covering  of  date 
palm  leaves  (PI.  II,  fig.  2),  until  it  is  strong  enough  to  face  without 
protection  the  summer  sun  and  the  cold  winds  of  winter.  The  shelter 
is  generally  left  in  place  for  a  year,  i.  e.,  until  the  spring  after  the 
planting.  Where  palms  are  planted  on  the  edge  of  an  oasis,  and 
hence  beyond  the  shelter  of  older  trees,  "  tabias,"  or  palisades,  to 
break  the  force  of  the  sand-bearing  winds  (see  p.  14),  are  often 
erected  at  intervals  of  30  to  50  feet  in  the  young  plantation.  It  is 
estimated  in  the  Jerid  that  from  10  to  15  per  cent  of  the  suckers 
planted  fail  to  grow. 

IRRIGATING. 

As  soon  as  the  offshoot  is  planted  a  shallow  basin  is  made  around 
its  base,  in  order  to  hold  the  irrigating  water.  Care  is  taken  to  con- 
struct this  so  that  the  water  can  not  come  in  contact  with  the  terminal 
bud,  or  "  heart,"  of  the  young  palm.  During  the  first  forty  days 
after  planting,  many  of  the  natives  consider  it  preferable  to  water 
palms  by  hand  from  a  water  jar,  at  the  rate  of  4  gallons  for  each 
palm  daily,  rather  than  by  flooding.  It  costs  about  20  cents  to  water 
30  palms  daily  in  this  way.  After  forty  days  two  waterings  a  week 
are  generally  sufficient.  At  Nefta  the  growers  told  the  writer  that 
the  practice  is  to  water  palms,  until  they  are  one  year  old,  every  day 
in  summer,  every  four  days  in  spring,  and  every  eight  days  in  autumn. 
If  irrigated  by  flooding,  two  irrigations  a  week  are  generally  suffi- 
cient, at  least  after  the  first  few  weeks,  and  two  a  month  in  rainy 
seasons,  e.  g.,  in  autumn. 

For  older  palms  irrigation  by  flooding  small  basins,  each  containing 
several  palms,  is  the  only  method  practiced.  One  irrigation  a 
week  is  generally  sufficient,  although  a  marked  increase  in  yield 
is  -said  to  be  obtained  by  irrigating  twice  a  week.  But  many 
proprietors  of  gardens  at  Tozer,  having  disposed  of  part  of  their 
water  right,  get  water  only  once  or  twice  a  month.  According  to  an 
estimate  made  by  M.  Minangoin,  water  is  ordinarily  put  on  the  land 
to  a  depth  of  about  2-|  inches,  of  which  nearly  1  inch  is  almost  imme- 
diately absorbed  by  the  soil.  M.  Masselot,  however,  states  that  the 
"  lands  "  are  flooded  to  a  depth  of  about  4  inches  at  each  irrigation. 
The  amount  of  water  theoretically  available  for  each  palm  in  the 
oasis  of  Tozer  is  variously  estimated  at  from  42  to  62^  gallons  daily. 
(Compare  p.  29.) 

Irrigation  is  most  urgently  required  during  the  hot,  dry  months  of 
June,  July,  and  August,  when  the  fruit  is  developing,  and  again  in 

92 


48  DATE    VARIETIES    AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

November  and  December,  after  the  harvest,  the  trees  being  at  that 
time  particularly  weak  and  in  need  of  stimulation.  Irrigation 
throughout  the  winter  is  regarded  as  an  excellent  practice,  as  it  stores 
the  soil  with  water  and  makes  it  possible  to  get  along  with  a  smaller 
amount  when  the  hot  weather  first  begins.  Land  that  is  left  en- 
tirely without  water  during  the  winter  is  said  to  become  so  dry  that 
the  first  irrigations  in  summer  can  only  wet  the  soil  to  a  slight  depth 
and  the  trees  suffer  from  lack  of  water  at  the  very  time  they  need  it 
most.  In  winter,  however,  irrigations  are  given  much  less  frequently 
than  at  other  seasons.  It  is  said  to  be  customary  in  winter  to  flood 
the  whole  garden  at  once,  rather  than  to  turn  the  water  into  small 
basins  one  at  a  time.  Nor  is  so  large  a  quantity  of  water  necessary  at 
each  application,  as  it  is  not  thought  well  to  let  the  water  stand  on 
the  land  for  any  considerable  length  of  time  in  winter,  and  the  evapo- 
ration is  naturally  much  less  than  in  summer.  Judging  by  the  height 
of  the  ground  water  in  the  gardens  of  Tozer  in  midwinter  (February 
5),  it  would  appear  that  the  soils  of  the  oasis  are  always  in  a  very 
wet  condition.  Compare  column  3  in  Table  9,  page  34. 

No  water  should  be  applied  for  two  or  three  weeks  after  the  polli- 
nation of  the  female  flower  clusters  in  spring,  as  irrigation  at  that 
season  causes  the  newly  set  fruit  to  drop  off.  Nor  is  it  advisable  to 
irrigate  in  the  autumn  for  three  or  four  weeks  preceding  the  harvest, 
as  otherwise  the  ripening  fruit  falls  or  else  becomes  so  juicy  that  it 
molds  easily  and  can  not  be  preserved.  .Many  gardeners  withhold 
water  from  their  palms  from  about  the  1st  of  October  until  the  dates 
are  gathered." 

It  has  been  pointed  out  in  discussing  the  character  of  the  drainage 
water  (see  p.  40)  that  this  is  not  too  saline  for  irrigation  purposes. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  some  of  the  gardens  at  Tozer  lying  neare'st  the 
Shott  Jerid,  and  hence  in  the  lowest  part  of  the  oasis,  are  irrigated 
solely  with  water  from  the  drains.  It  is  true  that  the  palms  are  less 
thrifty  and  the  yields  obtained  are  smaller  than  elsewhere,  but  this  is 
at  least  partly  attributable  to  the  poorer  quality  of  the  soils  in  that 
quarter  and  to  the  fact  that  in  summer,  when  water  is  most  needed, 
the  drains  are  frequently  empty. 

a  Charlet  (Bui.  Soc.  Geogr.  d'Alger,  1905)  mentions  that  the  same  rule 
in  regard  to  spring  and  fall  irrigation  obtains  in  the  Mzab  oases,  where  the 
application  of  water  ceases  about  September  15,  to  be  resumed  after  the  harvest 
is  completed. 

92 


MANURING   DATE   PALMS.  49 

MANURING,  a 

The  continual  irrigation  of  the  oases  and  the  small  extent  to  which 
leguminous  crops  are  grown  among  the  palms  are  probably  respon- 
sible for  the  low  nitrogen  content  of  the  soil,  as  shown  by  the  analysis 
on  page  35.  As  far  as  possible  the  natives  seek  to  remedy  this  de- 
ficiency by  manuring.  Unfortunately,  owing  to  the  small  number  of 
domestic  animals  kept,  the  supply  of  stable  manure  is  very  limited 
and  the  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  is  as  yet  unknown. 

No  manure  is  given  to  the  young  palms  wrhen  first  set  out,  although 
where  garden  vegetables  are  grown  in  new  land  that  is  being  pre- 
pared for  a  date  orchard,  as  shown  on  page  45,  the  suckers  doubtless 
receive  some  benefit  from  the  manure  that  had  been  applied  to  the 
vegetables  during  the  two  or  three  preceding  years.  When  the  palm 
is  3  years  old  and  is  beginning  to  sucker  it  is  manured  directly  for 
the  first  time.  A  circular  trench  is  dug  around  the  tree,  at  least 
3  feet  from  its  base.  This  is  filled  with  one  part  of  manure  to  two 
parts  of  earth,  thoroughly  mixed  together.  Frequently  only  one- 
half  of  the  trench  is  dug  and  filled  the  first  year,  the  circle  being 
completed  the  year  following.  Subsequently  the  palm  is  usually 
manured  only  every  four  years,  although  some  gardeners  prefer  to 
give  a  smaller  application  every  year. 

In  the  case  of  older  palms  the  manure  is  spread  on  the  surface 
and  then  worked  into  the  ground,  being  applied  at  the  rate  of  one 
donkey  load  to  each  tract  of  7  square  yards.  Strong  soils,  containing 
a  high  percentage  of  clay  or  of  organic  matter  and  gypsum,  are 
manured  less  heavily  than  the  light  sandy  soils.  Where  garden 
vegetables  are  grown  among  the  palms  and  manured  every  year  the 
palms  themselves  receive  no  separate  application.  The  best  time  to 
manure  date  palms  is  considered  in  the  Jerid  to  be  from  October  to 
January.** 

Only  thoroughly  rotted  manure  that  is  at  least  one  year  old  can 
safely  be  used.  The  natives  recognize  it  as  one  of  the  advantages 
of  old  manure  that  it  contains  fewer  viable  weed  seeds.  Grassvand 
htraw  are  carefully  removed  before  the  manure  is  applied.  The  in- 
habitants differ  as  to  what  kind  of  manure  gives  the  most  satisfac- 

«For  the  practices  in  this  regard  in  the  Oued  Souf,  see  Bui.  86,  Bureau  of 
riant  Industry,  pp.  22-24. 

&  According  to  Charlet  (Bui.  Soc.^Geogr.  d'Alger,  1905),  many  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Mazb  manure  their  palms  every  year,  sometimes  at  the  be- 
ginning of  winter  and  sometimes  in  February  when  the  sap  begins  to  run. 
This  author  estimates  44  pounds  of  manure  as  the  quantity  needed  annually 
by  each  palm.  In  the  Oued  Souf  (Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  23) 
October  and  March  are  considered  the  best  months  for  applying  manure. 
30618— No.  92—06 4 


50  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN   TUNIS. 

tory  results  with  the  date  palm,  some  advocating  that  of  camels, 
others  that  of  donkeys.0  But  the  total  supply  is  too  limited  to  allow 
of  much  choice  in  this  respect,  and  every  source  is  drawn  upon, 
even  to  the  scrapings  of  chicken  yards  and  the  refuse  from  human 
habitations. 

OTHER  CULTURAL  METHODS. 

When  the  palm  has  reached  the  age  of  2  years,  the  old  leaves  and 
leaf  stalks  are  trimmed  off  for  the  first  time,  but  not  too  close  to  the 
ground,  as  in  that  case  no  suckers  will  develop.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  left  on  the  trunk  these  parts  decay  and  sometimes  cause  the  central 
bud  to  rot.  It  is  considered  important  to  work  the  soil  around  the 
palms  to  a  moderate  depth  in  the  second  and  again  in  the  third  year 
after  planting.  Thereafter  the  ground  should  be  worked  over  as 
often  as  possible.  All  cultivation  is  laboriously  done  with  the  mes- 
sah,  or  short-handled  hoe  (see  PL  II,  fig.  2,  and  text  fig.  3,  p.  44). 

It  is  considered  advisable  not  to  permit  the  development  of  the 
earliest  fruit  clusters  (which  sometimes  appear  when  the  tree  is  only 
4  years  old) ,  as  too  early  production  diminishes  the  vigor  of  the  palm. 
In  regard  to  the  choice  of  other  fruit  trees  to  be  planted  among  the 
date  palms,  figs  and  olives,  being  relatively  shallow  rooting,  are 
recommended  in  preference  to  apricots,  the  latter  being  deep-rooted 
trees  that  compete  with  the  palms  themselves. 

POLLINATION  AND  MALE  PALMS. 

The  operation  of  pollination,  which  was  not  witnessed  by  the 
writer,  has  been  described  from  personal  observation  by  Mr.  W.  T. 
Swingle.6  It  is  said  to  take  place  in  the  Jerid  usually  from  March 
15  to  April  15.  Male  palms  are  not  distinguished  there  according 
to  variety,  but  according  to  their  time  of  flowering,  whether  early, 
intermediate,  or  late,c  and  also,  it  is  said,  according  to  whether  they 
originate  from  seed  or  from  suckers.  As  a  rule,  the  male  palms  re- 
semble each  other  much  more  closely  than  do  the  female  palms  belong- 
ing to  different  varieties.  They  are  distinguished  from  female  palms 
in  general  by  more  numerous  leaves  and  leaflets  (PL  IV,  fig.  2)  and 
often  by  a  stouter  trunk.  According  to  M.  Minangoin,  the  leaf 
stalks  of  male  palms  are  very  stout  and  the  foliage  is  fine  and  soft 

looking. 

1 

« One  owner  of  a  garden  assured  the  writer  that  camel  manure  is  "  too 
strong"  to  be  used  in  irrigated  land,  although  it  can  be  applied  with  perfect 
safety  under  the  conditions  prevailing  in  t^ie  Oued  Souf. 

&  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  26-29. 

«  Five  suckers  of  each  type  of  male  palm,  15  in  all,  were  imported  into  the 
United  State:  from  the  Jerid. 
92 


RIPENING    DATES.  51 

In  the  Jerid  oases,  males  constitute  a  very  small  proportion  of  the 
total  number  of  palms.  One  male  is  said  to  furnish  sufficient  pollen 
for  fecundating  500  to  600  females.  In  the  most  extensive  garden 
of  Tozer  oasis  the  writer  was  shown  an  unusually  large  and  fine  male 
which  he  was  told  served  not  only  for  all  of  the  fruiting  palms  in 
this  garden,  considerably  more  than  1,000,  but  for  neighboring  gar- 
dens as  well.  The  flowers  of  male  palms  are  said  to  be  free  to  all 
who  wish  to  use  them,  without  compensation  to  the  owner.  The  males 
are  reputed  to  live  longer  than  the  females,  but  finally  become  so 
tall  that  it  is  difficult  to  gather  the  flower  clusters.  They  then  share 
the  fate  of  female  palms  that  have  ceased  to  bear,  the  terminal  bud 
being  girdled  in  order' to  extract  lagmi,  or  palm  wine,  an  operation 
that  sooner  or  later  results  in  the  death  of  the  tree. 

The  writer  saw,  in  February,  a  palm  (illustrated  in  PI.  IV,  fig.  2) 
which  had  all  the  characters  of  a  male,  as  the  tenant  of  the  garden  in 
which  it  grew  declared  it  to  be.  Nevertheless,  it  bore  clusters  of 
small,  seedless  green  dates,  similar  to  the  "  sichi  "  (unfecundated) 
fruits  of  the  Fteemy  variety  (see  p.  TO).  Although  the  only  case  ob- 
served by  him,  this  is  apparently  a  rather  well-known  phenomenon.0 

RIPENING. 

The  bunches  of  dates  often  become  too  heavy  for  the  stalks  that 
bear  them.  To  prevent  the  breaking  of  the  fruit  stalks  the  clusters 
are  therefore  frequently  "  straddled  "  upon  the  nearest  leafstalk,  as 
shown  in  Plate  III.  This  is  an  operation  that  requires  considerable 
skill,  and,  in  the  case  of  choice  varieties,  is  usually  intrusted  to  an 
expert. 

Much  rain  during  the  first  few  weeks  after  pollination  is  as  in- 
jurious as  irrigation  at  that  season,  causing  the  newly  set  fruit  to 
drop.  On  the  rare  occasions  when  rain  falls  during  the  months  of 
May,  June,  and  July — that  is  to  say,  after  the  fruit  has  set  and  be- 
fore it  begins  to  ripen — it  does  no  harm.  During  the  early  autumn, 
when  the  dates  are  maturing,  hot,  dry  winds  from  the  south  and  west 
are  favorable,  as  they  hasten  the  ripening  process  and  prevent  the 
fruit  from  becoming  wormy.  On  the  other  hand,  a  heavy  rain  at  this 
season  is  disastrous.  If  it  falls  in  August  or  September  it  will  cause 
the  fruit  to  drop  before  maturity ;  if  a  little  later,  the  fruit  tends  to 
rot  or  to  become  moldy.  When  the  dates  have  become  perfectly  ripe 
a  light  rain  is  rather  beneficial  than  otherwise,  as  it  softens  them  and 
washes  off  the  dust  that  has  gathered  on  them.  But  a  heavy  rain 

«J.  W.  Tourney   (Bui.  29,  Ariz.  Exp.  Sta.,  1898)   notes  the  fruiting  of  male 
date  palms   at  Phoenix,   Ariz.,   and   at  La   Paz,   Mexico.     Charlet    (Bui.    Soc. 
Geogr.  d'Alger,  1905),  mentions  the  existence  of  two  fruiting  male  palms  in  the 
Wzab  oases. 
92 


52  DATE    VAKIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

causes  the  ripe  fruit  to  sweat  and,  while  not  injuring  its  flavor,  lessens 
its  exportability.  The  relation  between  the  late  summer  and  autumn 
rainfall  and  the  quality  of  the  dates  is  brought  out  in  Table  4,  on 
page  25. 

To  illustrate  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Jerid  concerning 
the  effect  of  rain  in  early  autumn  upon  their  principal  crop,  the 
following  anecdote,  current  among  them,  is  related  by  Masselot :  a 

Once  upon  a  time,  after  several  years  of  drought  and  at  length  of  famine, 
the  bey  had  ordered  that  public  prayers  for  rain  be  said  throughout  the 
regency.  The  people  of  the  Jerid,  alone  among  his  subjects,  refused  to  obey 
the  order  of  their  sovereign.  The  latter,  in  anger,  ordered  the  chief  notables 
among  the  refractory  inhabitants  to  come  to  Tunis  to  receive  punishment,  had 
them  appear  before  him,  and  said  to  them :  "  How  happens  it  that  when  I  com- 
mand public  prayers  in  order  to  attract  God's  attention  to  us  and  bring  us  the 
blessed  rain  that  will  give  wealth  to  our  unhappy  country,  you  alone  should 
dare  to  disobey  this  order,  given  in  the  general  interest?  "  "  You  have  acted 
rightly,"  replied  the  chief  men  of  the  Jerid,  "  but  so  far  as  our  country  is  con- 
cerned, rain  would  have  been  its  ruin.  Behold  this  soft  and  fragrant  ball  of 
honey.  Add  a  little  water  to  it  and  what  does  it  become?  A  coarse,  tasteless 
liquid.  Such  are  our  dates,  which  in  order  to  produce  their  honey  require  many 
rays  of  the  sun,  but  not  a  drop  of  rain."  The  bey  was  convinced,  it  is  said,  and 
permitted  them  to  return  to  their  homes. 

It  is  said  that  Deglet  Noor  dates  should  not  be  gathered  much 
before  the  end  of  October,  as,  no  matter  how  perfect  their  condition 
seems  to  be,  if  harvested  earlier  they  will  discolor  and  become  wormy 
within  a  few  weeks.  It  was  suggested  by  a  date  buyer  at  Tozer  that 
by  cutting  about  one-third  way  through  the  main  stalk  of  the  fruit 
cluster  when  the  dates  begin  to  mature,  and  thus  shutting  off  part  of 
the  water  that  passes  through  the  stalk,  the  fruits  can  be  made  to 
ripen  earlier  without  injury  to  their  keeping  quality.  The  experi- 
ment is  at  least  worth  trying.  It  is  said  that  Deglet  Noor  dates  can 
also  be  ripened  faster  by  removing  the  bunches  when  the  dates  begin 
to  soften  and  hanging  them  up  in  dry  rooms. 

HARVESTING. 

Different  varieties  of  dates  mature  at  different  periods,  the  earliest 
in  the  Jerid  commencing  to  ripen  in  August,  or  even  toward  the  end 
of  July,  while  the  latest  are  not  all  ripe  before  December.  Conse- 
quently the  harvest  goes  on  in  this  region  during  about  five  months. 
The  gathering  of  the  Deglet  Noor  dates  is  done  with  especial  care,  as 
they  are  the  only  kind  that  is  exported  in  any  quantity  to  Europe. 
The  harvest  of  this  variety  begins  in  earnest  toward  the  end  of 
October  (about  October  25  in  1904)  and  often  continues  into  the 
first  days  of  January.  Of  course,  all  the  fruit  that  will  ripen  has 
matured  long  before  the  latter  date,  but  the  skilled  laborers  iv- 

o  Bui.  Dir.  Agr.  et  Com.,  Tunis,  1901,  pp.  122,  123. 
92 


HARVESTING   DATES.  53 

quired  are,  not  sufficiently  numerous  to  gather  all  the  fruit  as  soon 
as  it  is  ready  to  harvest.  Fortunately,  this  is  one  of  the  varieties  the 
dates  of  which  can  be  left  on  the  palms  without  injury  for  several 
weeks  after  maturing,  provided  the  autumn  is  a  dry  one. 

The  Deglet  Noor  crop  is  generally  purchased  on  the  trees  and  the 
harvest  is  supervised  by  the  buyer  or  his  agent.  Bunches  borne 
on  small  trees  which  can  be  reached  from  the  ground  are  said  to  be 
preferred  by  the  more  wealthy  natives  for  their  own  consumption, 
being  less  liable  to  injury  in  the  harvesting.  Palms  in  full  bearing, 
however,  are  generally  too  tall  to  allow  their  fruit  to  be  gathered  thus 
easily.  The  harvest  from  such  trees  is  a  rather  complicated  matter, 
giving  employment  to  a  large  number  of  men.  (PL  I,  frontispiece.) 

First  there  is  the  "  getaa,"  whose  work  requires  the  most  skill. 
Armed  with  a  "  mengel  "  (see  fig.  4,  p.  44)  he  climbs  to  the  top, of 
the  palm,  cuts  away  with  a  few  deft  strokes  such  of  the  dead  leaves 
as  hang  in  his  way,  and  then  proceeds  to  sever  the  stalks  of  the  fruit 
bunches.  Along  the  trunk  below  him  a  sort  of  human  ladder  has 
meanwhile  been  formed,  the  number  of  men  and  boys  that  compose 
it  depending  of  course  upon  the  height  of  the  tree.  The  writer  saw 
eight  men  besides  the  getaa  clinging  to  one  tall  Deglet  Noor  palm. 
Supporting  themselves  with  one  arm  around  the  trunk  and  grasping 
the  scaly  bark  with  their  bare  feet,  they  hand  down  the  bunches  from 
one  to  another  as  they  are  received  from  the  getaa  until  the  entire 
product  of  the  tree  is  safely  on  the  ground.  The  tree  is  thus  stripped 
with  wonderful  celerity,  to  the  accompaniment  of  a  shower  of  the 
ripe  fruits  that  become  detached  from  the  bunches. 

The  getaa  receives  from  38  to  57  cents  per  day  for  gathering  Deglet 
Noor  dates,  while  the  "  meddada,"  who  pass  the  bunches  down  the 
trunk,  are  each  paid  19  to  24  cents  per  day.  Even  after  the  dates 
reach  the  ground  they  are  handled  by  a  little  army  of  men  and  boys, 
each  of  whom  has  some  small  duty  in  connection  with  the  harvest." 
Thus  the  "  lagata  "  are  occupied  solely  in  picking  up  the  detached 
dates  that  fall  while  the  bunches  are  being  cut  and  passed  to  the 
ground.  Each  of  them  is  paid  12  to  15  cents  a  day.  The  "  adal," 
whose  duty  it  is  to  carry  the  bunches  to  the  central  point  where  the 
product  of  the  whole  garden  is  collected,  are  entitled  to  from  19  to  24 
cents  each.  The  "  batah,"  or  men  who  guard  the  heap  of  dates  and 
the  belongings  of  the  Avorkmen,  receive  the  same  wages.  The 
"  jerrara  "  transport  the  dates  from  the  garden  to  the  storehouse, 
and  receive  for  each  donkey  load  about  11  pounds  of  dates  that  have 
dropped  off  the  bunches.  Then  there  is  the  "  alleg,"  who  loads  the 

a  It  is  said  that  the  owners  of  gardens  are  held  to  be  acquitted  of  their  obli- 
gation as  good  Mohammedans  to  devote  a  tithe  of  their  incomes  to  charity  if 
they  give  employment  during  the  date  harvest  to  a  sufficient  number  of  the  poor 
of  the  oasis. 

92 


54  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

animals  for  the  "  jerrara,"  and  the  "  khartaf,"  who  attaches  cords 
to  the  bunches  and  brings  them  to  the  "  alleg  "  and  who  also  arranges 
the  bunches  upon  beams  in  the  storehouse  where  they  are  dried. 

It  is  said  that  one  getaa  can  keep  employed  seven  meddada,  twelve 
lagata,  two  adal,  six  jerrara,  one  alleg,  and  one  khartaf.  In  one  day 
a  skilled  getaa  can  harvest  the  dates  from  60  to  90  palms,  according 
to  the  height  of  the  trees.  With  the  above-mentioned  number  of 
assistants  of  all  classes,  he  can  harvest  on  an  average  5,500  pounds  of 
dates  daily. 

Deglet  Noor  dates  that  are  to  be  exported  to  Europe  are  often 
packed  for  shipment  in  the  gardens  where  they  are  grown.  A  large 
part  of  the  crop  is  put  up  in  wooden  boxes  holding  22  pounds  each, 
which  is  the  maximum  weight  that  can  be  sent  by  parcels  post  in  a 
single  package.  (See  PI.  I,  Frontispiece.)  They  are  then  trans- 
ported by  caravan  to  the  railway  terminus,  which  is  about  35  miles 
from  Tozer. 

The  fruits  of  a  few  of  the  best  varieties  other  than  the  Deglet  Noor 
are  harvested  with  the  same  degree  of  care.  In  the  case  of  certain 
rare  and  highly  esteemed  sorts,  especially  of  the  earlier  ripening  vari- 
eties, the  fruits  are  even  picked  one  by  one  from  the  bunches  as  they 
mature.  These  are  dates  that  are  reserved  for  the  tables  of  the 
wealthiest  class  of  natives.  But  in  harvesting  by  far  the  greatest 
number  of  varieties,  including  the  popular  Fteemy  date,  which  con- 
stitutes probably  more  than  one-half  the  total  crop  of  the  Jerid,  the 
bunches,  as  they  are  cut  by  the  getaa,  are  merely  dropped  upon  mats 
spread  on  the  ground  underneath  the  palm,  instead  of  being  passed 
from  hand  to  hand  by  the  "  meddada."  In  harvesting  Fteemy  dates 
the  men  are  paid  in  kind.  For  each  day's  work  the  getaa  is  entitled 
to  a  bunch,  which  he  selects  among  the  finest,  to  two  bunches  of 
medium  value,  and  to  11  pounds  of  detached  fruit.0  The  other 
laborers  are  paid  with  a  proportionate  share  of  dates.  For  harvest- 
ing "  khalt,"  or  dry  dates,  the  daily  wage  of  the  getaa  is  eight  meas- 
ures of  fruit,  amounting  to  about  88  pounds. 

PRESERVING. 

The  fruits  of  the  different  varieties  differ  greatly  in  their  keeping 
quality.  Some  must  be  eaten  fresh,  remaining  edible  at  most  only  a 
few  weeks  after  ripening.  Certain  kinds,  including  some  that  keep 
very  well  when  ripe,  are  nevertheless  preferred  by  the  natives  when 
in  the  "  besser  "  stage ;  that  is,  before  they  are  perfectly  soft  and  ripe. 
These  have  the  peculiarity  of  losing  their  astringency  before  they  be- 

«  According  to  Masselot   (ibid.,  p.   124),  the  total  value  of  this  quantity  of 
fruit  would  be  about  95  cents   (5  francs).     If  this  be  true,  the  getaa  receives 
about  twice  as  much  for  harvesting  Fteemy  as  for  harvesting  Deglet  Noor  dates, 
which  seems  improbable. 
92 


VARIETIES   OF   THE   DATE    PALM    IN    TUNIS.  55 


come  very- soft.  Some  kinds,  both  of  soft  and  of  dry  dates,  can  be 
preserved  several  years  without  spoiling,  although  dry  dates  are  apt 
to  become  excessively  hard  when  kept  for  a  long  time.  Soft,  sirupy 
dates  of  good  keeping  quality,  such  as  the  Rhars  and  the  Lagoo,  are 
preserved  in  earthenware  jars  or  in  skin  bags.  The  finer  sorts,  such 
as  the  Deglet  Noor,  are  often  hung  up  in  bunches  in  the  houses  of 
the  natives,  and  are  picked  off  or  else  served  on  the  branch  as  wanted. 
It  is  said  that  the  fruits  of  some  varieties  can  be  preserved  only  by 
leaving  them  on  the  bunch  until  they  are  completely  dry,  when  they 
can  be  detached.  Others  which  are  especially  liable  to  become 
wormy  should  be  dried  in  the  sun,  after  first  splitting  them  open  and 
removing  the  seeds. 

VARIETIES  OF  THE  DATE  PALM  IN  TUNIS. 

While  it  is  impossible  to  state  exactly  the  number  of  well-defined 
varieties  of  the  date  palm  occurring  in  Tunis,  it  is  probably  not  far 
from  150.  The  Jerid  oases  are  particularly  rich  in  varieties,  con- 
taining considerably  more  than  100  distinct  kinds.0  Some  of  these 
are  extremely  local.  .  At  Nefta  several  varieties  were  seen  that  appar- 
ently do  not  occur  at  Tozer,  while  in  the  Nefzaoua  there  are  many 
kinds  that  are  very  rare  or  entirely  wranting  in  the  Jerid,  and  vice 
versa.  Yet  certain  varieties  (the  Kenta  and  Areshty,  for  example) 
are  widely  distributed,  being  found  not  only  in  all  the  Tunis  oases, 
but  also  in  those  of  eastern  Algeria.  Each  group  of  oases  in  Tunis 
has  its  characteristic  varieties.  Thus,  in  the  Jerid  the  Fteemy  is 
by  far  the  most  abundant  sort,  while  in  the  Nefzaoua,  Gabes,  and 
Gafsa  groups  it  is  rare  or  absent.  Varieties  such  as  Doonga  and 
Zekry,  which  are  important  and  highly  esteemed  in  the  Nefzaoua, 
are  hardly  known  in  the  Jerid,  although  the  nearest  oases  of  the  two 
groups  are  only  about  30  miles  distant.  The  Boo  Hath'm  variety, 
one  of  the  most  abundant  at  Gabes  and  at  Gafsa,  is  apparently  want- 
ing in  the  two  other  groups. 

Nearly  all  the  gardens  contain  a  large  number  of  varieties,  mixed 
together  in  the  greatest  confusion.  Only  in  the  newer  gardens  of  the 
Jerid  do  we  find  plantations  of  the  Deglet  Noor  occupying  areas  of 
some  size,  to  the  exclusion  of  other  kinds.  One  large  garden  at 
Tozer  is  remarkable  for  containing  almost  solely  the  Deglet  Noor  and 
Fteemy  varieties,  but  this  is  a  rare  exception.  The  present  tendency 
is  to  plant  Deglet  Noor  offshoots  as  fast  as  they  can  be  obtained,  and 

°Du  Paty  de  Clam  published  (Bui.  de  Geogr.  Hist,  et  Descr.,  No.  3,  1893)  a 
list  of  74  varieties  found  in  the  Jerid.  Masselot  (Bui.  Dir.  Agr.  et  Com.  Tunis, 
pp.  146-161,  1901)  enumerates  94  named  varieties.  The  writer  was  able  to 
obtain  fruit  of  all  but  23  of  these,  and  examined  fruits  of  21  named  varieties 
not  included  in  Masselot's  catalogue. 
92 


56  DATE    VAKIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

very  young  plantations  on  the  edges  of  the  oases  of  Tozer  and  Nefta 
(PI.  VII,  fig.  2)  often  contain  only  Deglet  Noor  and  Fteemy  palms. 

In  this  bulletin  only  varieties  that  exist  in  the  Jerid  and  Nef- 
zaoua  oases  are  treated.  However,  most  of  the  important  Tunisian 
varieties  are  thus  included,  there  being  few  at  Gafsa  and  at  Gabes 
which  do  not  also  occur  in  one  or  both  of  the  other  groups.  Descrip- 
tions are  given  of  all  the  varieties  that  are  at  all  abundant  in  the 
Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua,  as  well  as  of  all  that  could  be  found  that  are 
noteworthy  for  their  quality.  Yet  there  are  probably  three  times  as 
many  named  and  well-defined  varieties  in  the  region  as  are  described 
in  this  paper;  and  the  writer  examined,  photographed,  and  obtained 
samples  of  the  fruits  of  nearly  twice  as  many.  Many  of  these,  how- 
ever, are  extremely  rare,  in  some  cases  being  probably  confined  to  a 
single  garden. 

Suckers  of  all  the  varieties  described,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Chedakh,  Deglet  Hamidatoo,  Deglet  Hassen,  Khalt  Menakhry,  and 
Selatny,  were  brought  to  the  United  States.0  Eleven  varieties,  of 
which  suckers  were  imported,  could  not  be  included  in  the  "  Key  to 
the  varieties,"  at  the  end  of  this  bulletin,  as  either  the  fruits  were  not 
seen  or  else  samples  and  photographs  were  not  obtained.  Their 
characters,  so  far  as  known,  are  described  under  the  heading  "  Va- 
rieties imported  but  not  included  in  the  key,"  page  90. 

The  Arabic  names  of  the  varieties  alone  are  in  use.  In  all  matters 
of  nomenclature  and  orthography  Mr.  W.  T.  Swingle,  who  has  given 
much  consideration  to  this  subject,  was  freely  consulted.  In  the 
main  the  names  as  given  by  the  writer  are  identical  with  those  given 
by  Masselot,6  although  the  spelling  has  been  altered  to  the  extent 
necessary  to  render  it  phonetic  for  English-speaking  readers.  The 
names  of  the  varieties  described  in  this  paper  which  do  not  occur  in 
Masselot's  list  are  spelled  phonetically  as  pronounced  for  the  writer 
by  the  natives.  In  some  cases,  where  the  name  of  a  variety  differs  in 
different  oasis  groups,  the  pronunciation  current  in  the  Jerid  oases 
is  followed  as  the  standard. 

At  the  end  of  this  report,  in  the  descriptive  key  (p.  97),  the  fruit 
characters  that  appear  to  be  most  useful  for  the  identification  of  the 
varieties  are  described  in  detail.  In  the  present  chapter,  brief  de- 
scriptions of  the  fruits  as  to  size,  shape,  flavor,  and  keeping  quality, 
and  in  many  cases  of  the  characters  of  the  palms  themselves,  are 
given.  Geographical  distribution,  abundance  or  rarity,  productive- 
ness, earliness  of  ripening,  commercial  importance,  vigor,  rapidity  of 
growth,  and  alkali  resistance  are  also  discussed. 

a  These  five  varieties  are  nevertheless  described,  the  first  because  of  its 
abundance,  and  the  others  because  of  their  fine  quality  ;  and  thus  practically 
all  the  important  varieties  of  the  Jerid  arc  treated  in  this  paper. 

6  Bui.  Dir.  Agr.  et  Com.  Tunis,  pp.  146-161  (1901). 
92 


VARIETIES    OP    THE    DATE    PALM    IN    TUNIS.  57 


In  classing  the  varieties  as  of  first,  second,  or  minor  importance, 
such  points  as  the  size,  flavor,  earliness  of  ripening,  and  keeping 
quality  of  the  fruit,  the  thickness  of  the  flesh,  and  the  proportionate 
size  of  the  seed,  as  well  as  the  rapidity  of  growth,  hardiness,  and  pro- 
ductiveness of  the  trees  have  all  been  considered.  Thus  the  Fteemy 
variety  (PL  X,  fig.  3),  although  not  ranking  with  the  Deglet  Noor 
(PI.  VIII,  fig.  1)  in  respect  to  flavor  and  cleanness  of  skin,  is  yet  a 
very  attractive  date  and  is  remarkable  for  the  ease  with  which  it  is 
propagated,  its  rapid  growth,  vigor,  and  productivity.  Hence  it  has 
seemed  advisable  to  place  it  in  the  first  class,  and  the  Kenta  variety 
(PL  X,  fig.  2)  has  been  inserted  there  for  similar  reasons.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  Mokh  Begry  (PL  X,  fig.  4),  although  of  delicious 
flavor  and  highly  esteemed  by  the  Arabs,  is  not  as  attractive  as  other 
kinds  in  the  shape  and  size. of  its  fruit,  besides  being  a  rather  light 
bearer.  Consequently  it  is  ranked  as  of  secondary  importance. 

It  should  be  remembered  that,  in  judging  such  characters  as  flavor, 
personal  bias  enters  very  largely  into  the  equation.  In  regard  to  the 
fruits  of  several  varieties,  the  waiter's  opinion  did  not  at  all  agree 
with  that  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  oases,  nor  has  it  always  coincided 
with  that  of  colleagues  in  the  Department  of  Agriculture  with  whom 
he  has  compared  notes  in  testing  dates. 

Another  point  that  should  be  emphasized  is  the  great  likelihood 
that  the  varieties  imported  will  undergo  more  or  less  change  in  their 
now  environment,  some  improving  and  others  deteriorating.  It  is 
by  no  means  impossible  that  varieties  which  in  Tunis  appear  to  be 
second-rate  or  even  of  minor  importance  will  take  rank  among  the 
best  when  grown  in  the  United  States,  ands  that  some  of  the  kinds 
that  are  classed  in  this  paper  as  of  first  importance  will  not  prove  to 
be  the  best  adapted  to  our  conditions.  At  all  events  it  will  be  ex- 
tremely interesting  to  watch  the  behavior  of  the  Tunisian  varieties 
that  have  been  introduced  into  the  United  States. 

Among  Tunis  dates  the  Menakher  variety  (see  also  p.  60)  must  be 
given  first  rank,  so  far  as  the  quality  of  the  fruits  is  concerned.  (See 
Pis.  V  and  VIII,  fig.  2.)  These  are  fully  equal  to  the  Deglet  Noor 
in  flavor,  cleanness  of  skin,  and  keeping  quality,  and  are  usually  1J  to 
If  times  as  large  as  the  latter.  The  fruits  appear  to  ripen  earlier, 
and  the  trees  are  said  to  give  considerably  heavier  yields  than  the 
Deglet  Noor  variety.  Unfortunately  Menakher  palms  are  so  ex- 
tremely rare  that  only  nine  offshoots  of  this  variety  could  be  obtained 
for  importation  into  the  United  States.  Even  rarer  is  the  Selatny 
date  (see  fig.  52,  p.  93),  the  fruits  of  which  resemble  and  perhaps 
equal  the  Deglet  Noor  in  flavor,  and  are  as  large  as  those  of  the 
Menakher.  These  two  varieties  are  in  fact  nearly  extinct.  At  the  or- 
dinary rate  of  propagation  it  would  require  a  great  many  years  to 

92 


58  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

obtain  offshoots  in  sufficient  numbers  for  commercial  plantations. 
Yet  the  excellent  quality  and  the  large  size  of  these  dates  would 
undoubtedly  make  them  marketable  at  high  prices  if  they  could  be 
had.  So  far  as  Selatny  is  concerned,  there  seems  to  be  little  chance 
of  obtaining  offshoots,  but  the  Menakher  variety  has  been  introduced 
in  sufficient  number  to  give  a  fair  opportunity  for  establishing  it  in 
this  country.  It  remains  to  devise  some  means  of  speedy  propagation 
by  means  of  smaller  offshoots  than  are  generally  taken  for  planting. 
Perhaps  the  offshoots  can  be  removed  before  they  have  formed  roots 
and  then  can  be  nursed  in  greenhouses  until  well  rooted.  The  variety 
is  so  promising  that  no  pains  should  be  spared  in  multiplying  it  as 
rapidly  as  possible. 

As  regards  actual  commercial  importance,  the  Deglet  Noor  variety 
is  easily  first.  (Pis.  VI,  fig.  1,  and  VIII,  fig.  1.)  No  other  kind  that  is 
at  all  common  equals  it  in  quality.  Its  exquisite  flavor,  handsome 
appearance,  cleanness  of  skin,  and  admirable  keeping  quality  give  it 
a  deserved  preeminence  among  the  dates  that  are  extensively  grown 
in  North  Africa,  and  have  made  it  the  only  Algerian  or  Tunisian  date 
that  is  largely  exported  to  Europe  and  America.  Yet  it  has  some 
serious  disadvantages,  else  it  would  be  hardly  worth  while  to  experi- 
ment in  this  country  with  any  other  variety.  The  greatest  of  these 
is  its  late  ripening,  or,  in  other  words,  its  very  high  requirement  as  to 
total  heat,  a  requirement  that  can  probably  be  met  in  but  very  few 
localities  in  the  United  States.  Another  drawback  is  the  relatively 
small  average  yield  of  the  palms.  In  both  these  regards  the  Menak- 
her variety  appears  to  surpass  the  Deglet  Noor,  while  equaling  the 
latter  in  the  quality  and  greatly  exceeding  it  in  the  size  of  the  fruits. 

The  Boo  Affar  (PI.  IX,  fig.  2)  is  hardly  inferior  to  the  Menakher 
in  many  of  the  qualities  of  a  first-class  date.  Its  large  fruits  have  a 
very  fine  flavor  and  very  thick  flesh,  abounding  in  sugar.  It  is  one 
of  the  handsomest  of  dates,  being  especially  noticeable  for  its  splendid 
coloring.  The  large  size  and  unusual,  almost  perfectly  globular  shape 
of  the  Tronja  date  (Pis.  IV,  fig.  1,  and  IX,  fig.  1)  will  at  once  attract 
attention.  These  peculiarities  are  associated  with  great  thickness  of 
flesh  and  a  very  rich  flavor.  Unfortunately,  not  much  is  known  as  to 
the  productiveness  of  the  variety.  The  Boo  Fagoos  (fig.  10,  p.  67)  is 
also  remarkable  for  the  form  of  its  fruit,  which  is  somewhat  fiddle- 
shaped  and  of  fairly  large  size.  It  has  a  very  rich,  attractive  flavor, 
and,  like  the  Tronja,  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  natives  of  the 
region  where  it  grows.  All  three  of  these  varieties  offer  great  possi- 
bilities as  a  fancy  dessert  fruit,  commanding  a  high  price  in  the 
market. 

The  Tafazween  (fig.  11,  p.  68)  is  the  best  of  the  rather  long,  slender 
dates  examined  by  the  writer.  It  is  decidedly  attractive,  with  its 

92 


VARIETIES   OF   THE   DATE   PALM    IN    TUNIS.  59 


bright  bay  color  and  transparent  flesh,  nor  does  its  flavor  belie  its 
appearance.  It  seems  to  be  an  earlier  ripening  kind  than  the  Deglet 
Noor,  and  might  be  expected  to  take  its  place  in  regions  where  the 
sum  total  of  temperatures  is  not  quite  sufficient  to  ripen  the  latter. 

Although  decidedly  inferior  in  flavor  and  probably  in  keeping 
quality  to  the  Deglet  Noor,  the  Fteemy  (Pis.  VII  and  X,  fig.  3)  is  a 
fine  variety.  It  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  kind  grown  in  the  Jerid 
oases  and  is  surpassed  by  none  in  productiveness,  rapidity  of  growth, 
vigor,  and  hardiness.  The  fruit  is  handsome  and  highly  colored, 
the  flesh  soft  and  sirupy,  and  the  flavor  so  rich  and  sweet  that  Fteemy 
dates  can  not  be  eaten  in  large  quantity  at  any  one  time.  In  the 
Avriter's  judgment  this  is  a  finer  fruit  than  the  Rhars,  that  is  so  ex- 
tensively grown  in  Algeria,  although  it  shares  with  the  latter  the 
disadvantage  of  being  sticky  when  fresh  and  consequently  difficult 
to  handle  as  a  dessert  fruit.  It  is  a  late-ripening  sort,  little  if  at  all 
earlier  than  the  Deglet  Noor,  and  hence  should  not  be  planted  except 
in  the  warmest  localities  of  the  Southwestern  States.  It  has,  how- 
ever, a  decided  advantage  over  the  Deglet  Noor  variety  in  point  of 
rapidity  and  vigor  of  growth  and  in  productiveness,  being  said  to 
yield  heavily  every  year. 

Areshty  (fig.  13,  p.  71)  is  a  variety  considerably  resembling  the 
Boo  Affar  in  size  and  shape,  but  is  less  richly  flavored  and  less 
brightly  colored.  In  its  rather  firm  flesh  and  wholesome,  moderately 
sweet  flavor  it  resembles  dates  of  the  dry  class.  Were  it  not  for  the 
great  size  of  its  fruits  it  would  be  somewhat  doubtful  whether  this 
should  be  classed  as  a  variety  of  primary  importance,  as  the  flavor, 
although  attractive,  is  not  to  be  compared  with  that  of  the  Deglet 
Noor  and  hardly  equals  that  of  the  Fteemy  variety. 

The  Horra  variety  (PI.  X,  fig.  1)  is  very  highly  spoken  of  by 
French  settlers  in  the  oases,  and  is  exported  in  small  quantity  to 
Europe.  While  from  a  botanical  point  of  view  it  belongs  to  the  "  dry 
date  "  class,  in  reality  its  flesh  is  thick  and  never  becomes  very  dry  or 
bard.  It  is  easily  the  finest  of  its  type.  The  flavor  is  delicious,  yet 
not  so  rich  as  to  fatigue  the  palate.  When  we  consider,  furthermore, 
the  good  size  of  the  handsome  fruit,  its  early  ripening,  and  the  hardi- 
ness of  the  palms,  there  seems  ample  justification  for  giving  the 
Horra  a  very  high  rank  among  Tunisian  varieties. 

Ranking  next  after  the  Horra  among  the  dates  of  the  dry  type  is 
the  Kenta  variety  (PI.  X,  fig-  2).  This  has  a  medium-sized  fruit, 
smaller  than  the  Horra.  Its  flesh  is  thicker  and  more  tender  than  in 
most  of  its  class.  It  ripens  early,  preserves  well,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  productive  of  all  varieties.  The  flavor  is  very  agreeable  and 
wholesome,  while  not  so  rich  as  to  be  easily  cloying.  Kenta  palms 
appear  to  be  unusually  hardy  and  resistant  to  alkali  in  the  soil. 

92 


60  DATE    VAEIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  THE  VARIETIES. 

In  the  descriptions  that  follow,  the  page  number  placed  after  the 
name  of  each  variety  refers  to  the  descriptive  key  at  the  end  of 
the  bulletin  (pp.  97-106),  where  a  more  detailed  account  of  the 
characters  of  the  fruits  will  be  found.  It  should  be  noted  that  with 
few  exceptions  all  the  varieties  can  readily  be  referred  to  one  or  the 
other  of  two  principal  types — the  "  dry  dates  "  and  the  "  soft  dates." 
(See  p.  96.)  The  first  are  characterized  by  having  the  skin  of 
the  ripe  fruit  mostly  roughened  with  numerous  hard,  narrow,  trans- 
verse, as  well  as  longitudinal,  wrinkles,  while  the  flesh  is  usually  thin 
and  generally  becomes  quite  hard  and  dry  in  fruit  that  is  long  pre- 
served. Plate  X,  figure  1,  illustrates  a  typical  date  of  this  class. 
The  soft  dates,  on  the  other  hand,  have  the  skin  of  the  ripe  fruit 
loosened  over  a  great  part  of  the  surface  into  a  few  large,  soft  blisters, 
and  the  flesh  is  usually  thick  and  remains  soft,  or  at  least  tender. 
Typical  soft  dates  are  illustrated  in  Plates  VIII  and  IX,  figure  2. 
Dates  of  the  first  type  are  only  moderately  sweet,  and  as  they  can  be 
eaten  in  quantity  without  inconvenience  they  form  a  large  part  of 
the  food  of  the  Arabs.  Some  of  them,  like  Horra  and  Kenta,  have  a 
delicious  flavor,  while  others  are  insipid.  The  soft  dates,  on  the 
other  hand,  are  generally  so  rich  and  sweet  as  to  be  rather  a  dessert 
fruit  than  a  staple  article  of  food.  To  this  category  belong  the 
highly  prized  Deglet  Noor,  the  choice  Menakher,  the  rich,  sirupy 
Fteemy — in  short,  most  of  the  finest  varieties.  While  many  of  these 
can  be  kept  for  a  long  time  in  good  condition,  others  are  not  pre- 
servable,  but  must  be  eaten  fresh  or,  at  most,  a  few  weeks  after  they 
are  gathered. 

Under  the  first  heading  following — "  Varieties  of  primary  im- 
portance "- — these  are  arranged  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  order  of 
their  value,  as  determined  by  the  considerations  mentioned  above. 
Under  the  headings  "  Varieties  of  secondary  importance  "  and  "  Va- 
rieties of  minor  importance  "  the  varieties  follow  the  order  in  which 
they  are  placed  in  the  key.  The  "Varieties  imported  but  not  in- 
cluded in  the  key "  and  "  Varieties  included  in  the  key  but  not 
imported  "  are  arranged  alphabetically. 

VARIETIES  OF  PRIMARY  IMPORTANCE. 
SOFT    DATES. 

MENAKHER  (p.  106).— Fruit  of  the  soft-date  type  (PI.  VIII,  fig.  2), 
2  to  2^  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  broad  and  rounded 
at  both  ends,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved;  brownish 
maroon  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  2  to  2J  lines  thick;  the  seed  broad  at  both 
ends,  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-half  as  wide  as  long, 
very  rough.  (Fig.  6.) 

92 


VAKIETIES    OF    PRIMARY    IMPORTANCE.  61 


The  leaves  (PI.  V)  are  long  and  broad  and  rather  stiff  and  heavy, 
crowded  with  very  numerous  long  leaflets,  and  their  stalks  are  armed 
almost  throughout  their  length  with  long,  stout  spines.  The  fruit 
clusters  are  short  and  dense,  their  stalks  bright  yellow  (not  at  all 
orange),  rather  short,  stout,  and  only  moderately  curved,  so  that 
the  bundles  do  not  hang  down  below  the  leaves,  as  in  the  Deglet  Noor, 
but  are  almost  hidden  by  the  foliage. 

This  superb  variety  produces  fruit  that  is  thought  by  many  of  the 
natives,  and  even  by  some  of  the  few  Europeans  who  have  tasted' it,  to 
surpass  the  Deglet  Noor.  In  the  writer's  judgment  and  that  of  several 
of  his  colleagues  who  have  given  much  attention  to  the  subject  of 
dates,  as  well  as  in  the  opinion  of  the  experts  attached  to  two  of  the 
largest  American  firms  that  import  fruits,  it  is  at  least  equal  in  quality 
to  the  Deglet  Noor,  which  it  considerably  resembles  in  flavor.  In  sizr 
Menakher  dates  are  one  and  one-half  to  nearly  two  times  as  large  as 
the  Deglet  Noor.a  In  color  they  are  generally  darker.  The  seed, 
though  thick,  is  short  in  proportion 
to  the  length  of  the  fruit,  and  it 
is  very  different  in  appearance  from 
that  of  the  Deglet  Noor.  The  thick, 
translucent  flesh,  although  soft  and 
sirupy  at  the  moment  of  ripening, 
becomes  firm  when  preserved,  just 
as  does  that  of  the  Deglet  Noor. 
At  the  same  time,  it  does  not  be- 
come dry  and  hard  after  a  few 

months,  as  in  most  of  the  dry  dates.       FlG-  ^.-Outlines  of  Menakher  seed  and 
,.„  ,         .   ,  •»»  fruit.     (Natural  size.) 

If  preserved  with  any  care,  Mena- 
kher dates  keep  their  shape  admirably.     Those  that  were  examined 
and  tasted  by  the  writer  after  having  been  kept  for  three  or  four 
months  in  the  houses  of  natives  showed  themselves  to  be  in  all  respects 
equal  to  the  Deglet  Noor  in  keeping  quality.     As  in  that  variety,  the 

a  Samples  of  Menakher  and  of  Deglet  Noor  dates  have  recently  (December  5, 
1905)  been  received  by  the  writer,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Louis  Grech,  of 
Nefta,  in  southern  Tunis.  A  comparison  of  the  two  shows  that  in  volume  (de- 
termined by  the  displacement  of  water)  the  former  average  15  c.  c.  and  the  lat- 
ter 9  c.  c.,  the  Menakher  dates  being,  therefore,  one  and  two-thirds  times  as  large 
as  those  of  the  Deglet  Noor  variety.  They  are  also  about  one  and  two-thirds 
times  as  heavy,  Menakher  fruits  averaging  16.76  grams  in  weight,  while  Deg- 
let Noor  fruits  average  10.44  grams.  The  percentage  weight  of  the  seed  to  that 
of  the  whole  fruit  (i.  e.,  with  the  seed)  is  10.4  in  the  case  of  the  Menakher 
and  9.8  in  the  case  of  Deglet  Noor.  The  importance  of  this  character  in  dis- 
tinguishing date  varieties  was  first  pointed  out  by  Prof.  J.  W.  Tourney.  An 
exceptionally  large  Menakher  fruit  weighed  18.7  grams  and  the  seed  1.7  grams, 
or  only  9.1  per  cent  of  the  weight  of  the  whole  fruit. 
92 


62  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

skin  does  not  become  sticky,  but  remains  dry  and  clean,  which  is  a 
very  desirable  property  in  a  dessert  fruit. 

An  objectionable  feature  in  Menakher  dates  is  the  strong  develop- 
ment of  the  white,  stringy  core,  or  "  rag,"  to  borrow  a  term  from  the 
orange 'growers.  This  diminishes  perceptibly,  however,  in  thoroughly 
ripe  fruit.  The  consensus  of  opinion  among  those  who  examined  the 
two  samples  from  Nefta  mentioned  in  the  footnote  on  page  61  is  that 
in  point  of  appearance,  cleanness  of  skin,  keeping  quality,  and  deli- 
cacy of  flavor  the  Menakher  dates  surpassed  the  Deglet  Noor,  while 
the  latter  are  superior  in  the  crisper  texture  of  the  flesh  and  the 
smaller  development  of  stringy  core.  Menakher  dates  are  generally 
reserved  for  the  tables  of  the  wealthier  natives  and  for  gifts  to  their 
friends.  On  the  rare  occasions  when  they  are  sold  they  are  said  to 
bring  about  one-third  more  than  Deglet  Noors. 

The  Menakher  variety  ripens  its  fruits  in  the  latter  part  of  October. 
It  is  said  to  yield  little  during  the  first  few  years  after  the  offshoots  are 
planted,  but  afterwards  surpasses  the  Deglet  Noor  in  yield,  one  palm 
producing  sometimes  220  pounds  of  dates.  Single  clusters  are  said 
to  be  sometimes  too  heavy  for  a  strong  man  to  carry. 

Menakher  palms  occur  in  the  oases  of  Nefta,  Tozer,  and  El  Oudiane 
of  the  Jerid  group,  and  are  said  also  to  occur  in  the  Nefzaoua  region, 
although  the  writer  could  not  confirm  the  latter  statement.  They 
are  everywhere,  however,  extremely  rare,  being  found  usually  only 
in  the  largest  and  finest  gardens,  with  rarely  more  than  one  individual 
in  each  garden.  In  the  oasis  of  El  Oudiane,  where  palms  of  this 
variety  are  said  to  be  most  frequent  and  to  produce  the  finest  fruit, 
there  are  probably  not  more  than  12  or  15  trees,  and  most  of  these 
are  old  ones,  no  longer  producing  offshoots. 

The  natives  give  a  curious  account  of  the  great  rarity  of  this  va- 
riety, which  they  hold  in  high  esteem,  and  almost  veneration.  It 
appears  that  in  former  times  the  bey  and  other  great  dignitaries  of 
the  country  were  excessively  fond  of  Menakher  dates,  and  were  in 
the  habit  of  sending  their  agents  to  the  Jerid  at  the  time  they  ripen 
in  order  to  procure  them.  As  their  fondness  for  these  dates  increased 
they  began  to  appropriate  the  entire  crop,  leaving  none  for  the  un- 
fortunate owners  of  the  trees,  and  often  forgetting  to  pay  for  what 
they  took.  Consequently  the  proprietors,  in  disgust,  stopped  plant 
ing  offshoots  of  this  variety  and  sometimes  even  went  to  the  length 
of  cutting  down  old  palms.0  Nowadays  so  few  offshoots  are  left  that 
there  is  some  danger  of  the  complete  extinction  of  the  variety.  Even 
if  every  effort  were  made  to  reestablish  it,  it  would  require  msmy 
years  before  Menakher  dates  could  be  produced  in  large  quantity. 

oTbe  natives  give  the  same  explanation  of  the  extreme  rarity  of  the  prized 
Selatny  (see  p.  93),  the  only  Tunisian  v;iriot.v  which  might  be  considered  first 
class  of  which  the  writer  failed  to  procure  offshoots. 
92 


VARIETIES    OF    PRIMARY   IMPORTANCE.  63 


Although  the  Arabs  invariably  relate  the  history  givon  above  in 
attempting  to  account  for  the  passing  of  this  choice  variety,  it  is  pos- 
sible that  there  are  other  reasons  for  its  rarity.  Some  of  the  garden- 
ers who  are  familiar  with  it  say  that  very  careful  nursing  is  required 
to  make  Menakher  offshoots  live  and  grow.  On  the  other  hand,  Si 
Brahim  Ben  Ouedi,  of  Nefta,  the  owner  of  a  fine  young  palm  of  this 
variety,  says  that  while  great  care  must  be  taken  in  detaching  and 
planting  Menakher  offshoots,  they  are  afterwards  as  easy  to  grow  as 
those  of  other  varieties. 

After  an  exhaustive  search  of  all  the  Jerid  oases  for  Menakher  off- 
shoots only  nine  could  be  obtained,  for  importation  into  the  United 
States,  of  which  six  were  so  small  that  little  hope  was  entertained  of 
their  living.  Fortunately,  they  have  been  given  every  care  in  the 
cooperative  date  gardens  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the 
Arizona  and  California  experiment  sta- 
tions at  Tempe,  Ariz.,  and  Mecca,  Cal., 
and  when  seen  by  the  writer  in  Septem- 
ber, 1905,  all  of  them  seemed  likely  to 
grow.  So  even  if  this  valuable  date  be- 
comes extinct  in  the  country  of  its  origin, 
there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  its  being  con- 
tinued in  the  United  States.  It  should 
be  stated  that  one  of  the  finest  of  the 

™  ,  .  ».  ,1        TA  Fio.7.— Outlines  of  DegletNoor  seed 

offshoots  was  a  gift  to  the  Department  and  fruit.   (Natural  size.) 

of  Agriculture  on  the  part  of  Si  Brahim 

Ben  Ouedi,  of  Nefta,  from  the  tree  mentioned  above  and  represented 
in  Plate  V,  figure  1. 

DEGLET  NOOR  (p.  104).°— A  soft  date  (Pis.  I  and  VIII,  fig.  1)  1J  to 
a  little  over  2  inches  long,  and  about  one-half  as  wide,  ovate  oblong 
in  shape,  generally  widest  at  or  near  the  middle,  and  blunt  pointed  at 
the  apex,  often  narrowed  also  at  the  base,  maroon  colored  when  ripe, 
the  flesh  2  to  3  lines  thick,  translucent,  the  seed  a  little  more  than  one 
half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  conspicuously  pointed,  and  dark  chestnut- 
brown  in  color.  (Fig.  7.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters are  bright  yellow  (not  orange),  the  stalks  long  and  slender, 
sharply  curved  near  the  base,  so  that  the  bunches  hang  down  far 
below  the  crown  of  foliage.  (PI.  VI,  fig.  1.)  The  trunk  is  com- 
paratively slender.  The  foliage  is  light  and  delicate  looking,  and 
the  narrow  leaves  and  leaflets  are  rather  yellowish  green.  The  spines 
are  slender  and  weak. 

This  well-known  variety  is  largely  exported  to  Europe  from  Al- 
geria and  Tunis,  and  is  practically  the  only  North  African  date 
that  is  known  in  the  United  States.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 

a  Described  in  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  pp.  33-36. 

92  — < 


64  PATE    VARIETIES    AND-  DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

Deglet  Noor  presents  a  combination  of  characters — fine  flavor,  sweet- 
ness, attractive  appearance,  cleanliness,  good  keeping  quality — that 
can  be  rivaled  by  no  other  variety  that  is  widely  grown  in  Algeria 
and  Tunis.  Only  among  very  rare  sorts,  such  as  the  Menakher  (see 
p.  60),  is  there  any  possibility  of  its  meeting  a  competitor.  Even  in 
the  oases  themselves  it  is  the  only  kind  that  is  found  on  the  tables  of 
Europeans  or  that  is  served  by  the  more  wealthy  natives  to  their  Eu- 
ropean guests.  The  general  recognition  of  the  superior  quality  and  the 
commercial  importance  of  the  Deglet  Noor  is  shown  by  the  fact  that 
the  "  kanoon "  tax  levied  by  the  Tunisian  government  upon  date 
palms  in  full  bearing  amounts  to  1J.  francs  (25J  cents)  for  each 
Deglet  Noor  tree,  and  only  two-thirds  of  a  franc  per  tree  for  all 
other  varieties. 

The  Deglet  Noor  ripens  its  fruit  to  perfection  in  the  oases  of  the 
Jerid,  and  the  government  is  attempting  to  establish  it  in  the  Nef- 
zaoua  region.  Elsewhere  in  Tunis  the  climatic  conditions  are  un- 
favorable to  this  variety,  which  is  one  of  the  latest  sorts  to  ripen  and 
requires  a  high  sum  total  of  mean  temperatures  above  64.4°  F.a  to 
bring  it  to  perfect  maturity.  The  maj-itime  climate  of  Gabos  is 
particularly  ill  adapted  to  the  Deglet  Noor,  and  the  trials  that  have 
been  made  of  it  there  have  been  unsuccessful. 

First  introduced  into  Tunis  from  the  Oued  Rirh,  in  Algeria, 
some  200  or  250  years  ago,  there  are  said  to  be  now  some  50,000  trees 
of  this  variety  in  the  Jerid  oases,  in  which  case  it  constitutes  7  to  8 
per  cent  of  the  total  number  of  palms  of  all  varieties/  The  devel- 
opment of  a  very  respectable  export  trade  in  Deglet  Noor  dates  dur- 
ing the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years  c  has  stimulated  the  natives  to  plant 
trees  of  this  variety,  and  the  proportion  of  Deglet  Noor  to  other 
palms  will  doubtless  steadily  increase  from  this  time  forward.  As 
sufficient  offshoots  of  this  variety  are  not  produced  in  their  own  gar- 
dens, the  inhabitants  of  the  Jerid  have  secured  a  modification  of  the 
Tunisian  law  against  the  importation  of  living  plants,^  thus  allowing 
them  to  bring  offshoots  from  the  Oued  Rirh  oases  in  Algeria. 

a  Estimated  by  W.  T.  Swingle  (Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  67)  to 
aggregate  3,600°  F. 

6  The  total  number  of  productive  date  palms  in  the  Jerid  in  generally  placed 
at  from  600,000  to  700,000,  although  some  authorities  estimate  as  high  as 
1,000,000  trees. 

°  Estimated  in  1893  to  amount  to  660,000  pounds,  while  in  1904  more  than 
four  times  that  quantity  (2,860,000  pounds)  is  said  to  have  been  purchased  for 
export — 550,000  pounds  by  a  single  French  firm.  The  annual  exports  of 
Deglet  Noor  dates  from  the  ports  of  Tunis  are  said  to  have  averaged  in  recent 
years  1,175,000  to  2,200,000  pounds,  all  of  this  quantity  having  been  grown  in 
the  Jerid  oases. 

&  Designed  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  phylloxera. 
92 


VARIETIES    OF    PRIMARY   IMPORTANCE.  65 

As  to  the  quality  of  the  Deglet  Noor  dates  produced  in  the  Jerid 
oases,  the  buyer  for  a  well-known  French  importing  house,  who  had 
operated  during  several  previous  years  in  the  Oued  Rirh  but  who 
last  season  (1904)  made  his  purchases  in  the  Tunis  oases,  was  of  the 
opinion  that  the  latter  region  surpasses  the  Oued  Rirh  oases  in  the 
quality  of  its  Deglet  Noor  dates.  As  compared  with  the  fruits  of 
this  variety  grown  in  the  Oued  Souf,a  those  of  the  Jerid  are  larger, 
softer,  and  of  finer  appearance,  while  the  Deglets  of  the  Souf  are 
said  to  be  superior  in  keeping  quality. 

The  natives  consider  a  sandy  soil  as  decidedly  more  favorable  to 
the  quality,  of  the  Deglet  Noor  fruit  than  one  containing  much  silt 
or  clay. 

Deglet  Noor  dates  begin  to  ripen  in  quantity  in  the  Jerid  toward 
the  end  of  October;  Masselot  gives  October  25  as  the  usual  date. 
The  harvest  of  1904  commenced  about  that  date  and  continued 
throughout  November,  December,  and  the  first  days  of  January,  1905. 
The  crop  is  generally  purchased  on  the  trees  for  about  two-thirds  of 
the  price  which  the  dates  bring  at  wholesale  at  Marseille,  and  the 
buyer  undertakes  the  gathering  &  and  packing  of  the  fruit.  In  1904, 
when  the  crop  was  an  unusually  abundant  one  both  in  the  Jerid  and 
the  Oued  Rirh  and  the  price  correspondingly  low,  these  dates  sold  on 
the  trees  for  about  $2.59  per  100  pounds,  and  brought  at  Marseille 
from  $3.54  to  $3.88.  In  1903,  when  the  crop  was  much  smaller, 
Deglet  Noor  dates  from  the  Jerid  sold  at  Marseille  for  from  $4.75  to 
$4.80  per  100  pounds.  The  season  of  1904  was  unusually  favorable 
to  the  quality  as  well  as  the  yield,  less  than  0.3  inch  of  rain  having 
fallen  at  Tozer  during  the  months  of  September  and  October  together, 
and  only  0.2  inch  during  November. 

The  Deglet  Noor  is  slower  in  coming  into  full  bearing  than  most 
other  varieties,  the  palms  generally  not  giving  a  good  crop  until  they 
are  ten  years  old,  while  the  Fteemy  variety  begins  to  yield  largely 
when  only  four  or  five  years  old.  The  fruit  of  very  young  trees  is 
said  to  be  usually  inferior  in  quality.  While  some  varieties  bear  well 
every  year,  a  Deglet  Noor  palm  produces  largely  only  every  second 
or  third  year,  and  the  average  crop  is  smaller  than  that  of  many  less 
esteemed  kinds.  The  average  yield  in  the  Jerid  of  Deglet  Noor  palms 
in  full  bearing  is  stated  by  one  authority  to  be  132  pounds,0  while 

«  See  Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  24. 

6  See  p.  52  for  an  account  of  the  methods  of  harvesting. 

c  In  Algeria  the  average  product  of  this  variety  is  variously  estimated  to  be 
from  88  to  132  pounds.  (See  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  35.)  On 
account  of  its  relatively  low  productiveness  and  its  delicacy  of  constitution,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Mzab  oases  are  somewhat  prejudiced  against  this  variety, 
notwithstanding  the  undeniable  excellence  of  its  fruit.  But,  being  largely 
30618— No.  92—06 5 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


for  the  Fteemy  and  Kenta  varieties  200  and  300  pounds,  respectively, 
are  not  considered  extraordinary  yields. 

Opinions  differ  in  the  Jerid  as  to  the  degree  of  resistance  of  this 
variety  to  large  amounts  of  salts  in  the  soil.  The  proprietor  of  one 
garden  at  Tozer,  in  a  part  of  the  oasis  where  there  is  much  saline 
efflorescence,  regarded  the  Deglet  Noor  as  the  most  susceptible  of  all 
varieties  to  the  effect  of  "  alkali,"  while  at  El  Hamma  experts  in  date 
culture  told  the  writer  that,  if  freely  irrigated,  this  variety  shows  a 
high  degree  of  resistance. 

Boo  AFFAR  (p.  101). —A  soft  date  (PL  IX,  fig.  2),  about  2  inches 
long  and  from  a  little  more  than  one-half  to  three-fifths  as  wide, 
conspicuous^  wider  above  than  below  the  middle  but  narrowed  to 
the  blunt  apex,  bright  purplish  maroon  when  ripe,  the  flesh  3  to  3J 
lines  thick,  tender  yet  firm,  the  seed  a  little  more  than  one-half  as 
long  as  the  fruit,  cinnamon  brown.  (Fig.  8.)  The  stalks  and 

branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  deep 
orange.  The  foliage  is  said  to  be  heavy 
and  the  leaves  wide  and  very  green. 

This  variety  occurs  in  the  gardens 
of  El  Hamma  oasis  (Jerid)  and  in 
the  Nefzaoua,  but  is  nowhere  common. 
The  fruit  is  remarkable  not  only  for 
its  large  size,  thick  flesh,  and  delicious 
flavor,  but  for  its  beautiful  coloring, 
its  tints  rivaling  those  of  scarlet  oak 
leaves  in  the  autumn.  The  fruit  ripens 
rather  late  (in  November,  according 
to  Masselot).  It  resembles  that  of  the 

Areshty  variety  (see  p.  70),  but  is  much  more  highly  colored.  It  is 
said  to  be  better  flavored  than  the  Areshty  when  thoroughly  ripe,  and 
in  the  writer's  opinion  this  is  true.  On  the  other  hand,  the  natives 
prefer  the  fruit  of  Areshty  to  those  of  Boo  Affar  when  only  partly 
ripe.  The  flesh  is  tender,  yet  rather  firm,  and  is  very  sweet  and  full 
of  sugar.  The  skin,  even  of  the  ripe  fruit,  is  fairly  clean  and  dry. 
Of  this  variety  8  offshoots  were  imported. 

TRONJA  (p.  99).— (Also  spelled  Troundja.)  A  soft  date  (PI.  IX, 
fig.  1),  perfectly  round,  or  nearly  so,  1£  to  nearly  2  inches  in  greatest 
diameter,  maroon  to  prune  purple  wrhen  ripe,  the  flesh  4  to  5  lines 
thick,  very  sugary,  yet  firm ;  the  seed  very  thick,  six-tenths  to  seven - 
tenths  as  long  as  the  fruit  and  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  wide, 

engaged  in  other  business,  they  are  not  so  dependent  for  a  livelihood  upon  the 
product  of  their  date  palms  as  are  the  natives  of  other  Saharan  oases,  else  they 
would  probably  attach  greater  importance  to  the  commercial  superiority  of  the 
Deglet  Noor.     (See  Charlet,  in  Bui.  Soc.  Geog'r.  d'Alger,  1905.) 
92 


FIG.  8.— Outlines  of  Boo  Affar  seed  and 
fruit.     (Natural  size.) 


VARIETIES   OF   PRIMARY   IMPORTANCE. 


67 


much  furrowed.     The  foliage  (PI.  IV,  fig.  1)  is  dense,  the  leaves  wide, 

crowded  with  leaflets,  and  drooping  gracefully  at  the  ends. 

This  is  a  rare  variety,  apparently  confined  to  Tunis,  occurring  spar- 

ingly in  the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua.     The  fruit,  which  ripens  in 

October,  is  remarkable  for  its  large  size,  the  thickness  of  its  flesh,  and 

its  globular  shape.     The  short,  very  thick 

seed  is  also  characteristic.     (Fig.  9.) 
This   date   is   highly   esteemed   by   the 

natives.     The  flesh  is  very  firm  and  even 

somewhat  tough,  extremely  sweet,  and  very 

rich  flavored,  the  flavor  suggesting  that 

of  the  Fteemy.     Tronja  dates  can  not  be 

eaten  in  large  quantity,  as  their  richness 

soon  cloys,  but  as  a  dessert  fruit  they  are 

very  promising.     They  ripen  in  October. 

Of  this  variety  8  offshoots  were  imported. 
Boo  FAGOOS    (p.   101).  —  The  name    (in 

French  orthography,  Bou  Fagous,  or  Feg- 

gouss)    signifies   "  father   of   the   cucum- 

ber."   A  soft  date,  If  to  If  inches  long, 

considerably  more  than  one-half  as  wide, 

constricted  near  the  middle  and  widest  toward  the  apex,  maroon  to 

prune  purple  when  ripe,  the  flesh  2J  lines  thick,  the  seed  from  a  little 

more  than  one-half  to  five-eighths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  rather  slender. 

(Fig.  10.)     The    orange-colored    stalks    of    the    fruit    clusters    are 

sharply  curved  and  so  short  that  the  rather  small  bunches  hardly 

extend  beyond  the  leafstalks.     The   foliage  of  this,   as  of  several 

other  of  the  finest  varieties,  is  of  a  light  and  delicate  aspect,  due  in 

this  case  to  the  relatively  few  leaves 
and  the  narrowness  of  the  leaflets.  The 
leaves  themselves  are  large  and  wide. 
As  in  the  Deglet  Noor,  they  curve  down- 
ward very  noticeably.  In  color  they 
are  an  unusually  rich  green.  The  spines 
of  the  leafstalks  are  few  and  weak. 
The  offshoots  remain  small  while  at- 
tached to  the  parent  tree,  and  the  Arabs 
advise  that  greater  care  be  taken  to  keep 
them  moist  after  removal  and  before 


FIG.  9.— Outlines  of  Tronja  seed 
and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


FIG.  10.-  Outlines  of  Boo  Fagoos  seed 
and  fruit.    ( Natural  size. ) 


planting  than  is  necessary  with  most  other  varieties. 

The  variety  is  rather  common,  but  nowhere  abundant,  in  the  oases 
of  the  Jerid,  to  which  it  appears  to  be  confined  in  Tunis,  although 
said  to  occur  also  in  the  Mzab  oases  of  Algeria.  It  is  in  high  repute 
among  the  natives,  being  exported  to  all  parts  of  Tunis  and  Al- 


92 


68 


DATE    VAKIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


geria.  The  large  fruit  is  remarkable  for  its  unusual  shape,  some- 
what like  that  of  some  varieties  of  gherkins,  to  which  it  doubtless 
owes  its  Arabic  name.  The  flesh  is  thick  and  rather  firm,  yet  tender. 
It  is  very  sweet  and  has  a  very  distinctive  and  highly  attractive 
flavor.  It  ripens  late  in  October.  Of  Boo  Fagoos  offshoots  16  were 
imported. 

TAFAZWEEN  (p.  101). —  (Name  spelled  by  French  writers  "  Tafa- 
zaouine.")  A  soft  date,  2  to  2-J-  inches  long,  about  two-fifths  as 
wide,  oblong,  tapering  slightly  from  base  to  apex,  bright  bay  col- 

ored    when    ripe,    the 

skin  conspicuously 
marked  with  short 
linear  scars,  the  flesh 
1J  to  2  lines  thick,  the 
slender  seed  about 
three-fifths  as  long  as 
the  fruit.  (Fig.  11.) 
This  variety  is  com- 
mon in  the  Oued  Souf , 
in  Algeria,  where  it  is 
considered  one  of  the 
best  dates  of  the  re- 
gion.0 It  is  also  found 
in  the  Mzab  and  Oued 
Rirh  oases  of  Algeria. 
In  the  Jerid,  where  the 
name  is  pronounced 
"  Taf  azweent,"  it  is 
extremely  rare.  The 
handsome  fruit  is  easily  recognized  by  its  long,  narrow  shape,  bright 
bay  color,  and  curiously  marked  skin.  It  is  said  to  ripen  in  October. 
The  flesh  is  soft  and  translucent,  like  that  of  the  Deglet  Noor.  It  is 
very  sweet  and  of  excellent  flavor,  in  this  respect  somewhat  resem- 
bling Lagoo,  but  superior.  Twenty-one  offshoots  of  this  promising 
variety  were  imported,  of  which  only  one  was  obtained  in  Tunis. 

FTEEMY  (p.  106). —  (Name  spelled  by  French  authorities  "  Ftimi.") 
A  soft  date  (PL  X,  fig.  3),  If  to  2  inches  long,  about  one-half  as 
wide,  oblong,  slightly  narrowed  at  both  ends,  dark  purplish  maroon 
when  ripe,  the  surface  shining,  the  flesh  soft  and  sirupy,  about  2 
lines  thick,  the  seed  a  little  more  than  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
slender.  (Fig.  12.) 


FIG.  11.— Tafazween  seeds  and  fruits.     (Natural  size.) 


See  Bui.  86,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  26. 


92 


VAKIETIES    OF    PRIMARY    IMPORTANCE.  69 

The  foliage  of  this  variety  (PL  VII)  is  luxuriant  and  the  numer- 
ous leaves  are  long,  wide,  and  crowded  with  long,  broad  leaflets.  In 
color  they  are  decidedly  bluish,  owing  to  the  presence  of  a  heavy 
white  bloom.  When  this  is  rubbed  off,  a  rich,  deep  grass-green  color 
appears.  The  spines  are  stout  and  green.  The  deep  orange-colored 
stalks  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  shorter,  much  stouter,  and  much  less 
bent  t.'ian  in  the  Deglet  Noor,  so  that  the  bunches  do  not  hang  down 
below  the  crown  of  foliage,  as  in  that  variety.  The  clusters  them- 
selves are  shorter  and  more  crowded  with  fruit. 

This  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  variety  in  the  Jerid  oases,  com- 
prising probably  at  least  one-third  of  all  the  date  palms  in  that 
region.  The  best  fruit  of  this  variety  is  said  to  be  produced  in  the 
oasis  of  Kriz  (El  Oudiane).  In  the  Nefzaoua  it  is  not  abundant, 
and  in  the  oases  near  the  coast  it  is  of  relatively  small  importance. 
In  the  oases  of  eastern  Algeria,  although  geographically  so  near 
the  Jerid  and  in  such  close  communication  with  the  latter  region, 
this  variety  seems  to  be  little  known, 
although  at  Ourlana,  in  the  Oued  Rirh, 
it  is  said  to  occur  under  the  name  of 
"  Bou  Aroussa  "  (father  of  the  bride). 
After  the  Deglet  Noor,  Fteemy  is  the 
variety  most  generally  esteemed  among 
the  natives  of  the  Jerid.  Its  great  im- 
portance is  shown  by  the  fact  that  it  is 
apparentlv  the  onlv  variety  of  which 

iC      V..  ^--0?  +1         j      •          A   J        FlG-  12.— Outlines  of   Fteemy  seed 

the    fruits    are    differently    designated,  and  fruit.   (Natural  size.) 

according  to   whether  they   are   in  the 

bunch  (halig)  or  detached  (mantoor).  It  is  largely  exported  to 
other  parts  of  Tunis  and  Algeria  and  even,  it  is  said,  to  Europe 
(probably  to  Italy).  It  is  one  of  the  kinds  that  is  most  sought  after 
by  the  nomadic  Arabs  who  barter  the  grain  they  raise  in  the  plateau 
region  for  the  dates  of  the  Jerid. 

Although  inferior  in  flavor  to  the  Deglet  Noor,  the  Fteemy  is 
unquestionably  an  excellent  variety,  greatly  excelling  the  Deglet 
Noor  in  vigor,  rapid  growth,0  early  productiveness,  and  large  yields. 
The  oblong  fruit  when  ripe  is  of  a  fine  reddish-purple  color,  which 
contrasts  strikingly  with  the  deep  orange  branches  of  the  clusters. 
It  is  very  rich  in  flavor,  extremely  sweet,  and  so  soft  and  sirupy  as 
to  melt  in  the  mouth  when  fresh.  It  can  not  be  eaten  in  great 

a  Mr.  Bernard  G.  Johnson,  who  is  stationed  at  the  cooperative  date  garden 
of  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry  and  the  California  experiment  station  at 
Mecca,  Cal.,  reported  in  October,  1905,  that  among  the  offshoots  from  Tunis 
planted  there  in  May  of  the  same  year,  those  of  the  Fteemy  variety  were  show- 
ing signs  of  growth  in  larger  proportion  than  those  of  any  other  kind. 

92 


70  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN   TUNIS. 

quantity,  however,  without  cloying.  A  further  disadvantage  is  that 
owing  to  the  excess  of  sirup  it  contains,  it  becomes  very  sticky,  and 
is  therefore  less  satisfactory  as  a  dessert  fruit  than  the  Deglet  Noor. 
It  is  said  to  be  easily  preserved,  and  the  Fteemy  was  enumerated  at 
Kebili  among  the  seven  best-keeping  sorts.  Fteemy  dates  sold  at 
Tozer  in  1904  for  about  $1  per  hundred  pounds  on  the  tree,  which 
was  about  two-fifths  of  the  price  then  being  paid  for  Deglet  Noor 
dates.  The  offshoots  are  cheaper  than  those  of  the  Deglet  Noor, 
48  cents  being  the  average  price  of  a  good  offshoot. 

The  offshoots  of  this  variety  are  frequently  allowed  to  grow  up 
around  the  parent  stem,  so  that  at  length  it  is  often  hard  to  distin- 
guish the  original  trunk.  This  is  never  permitted  in  the  case  of  the 
Deglet  Noor,  the  offshoots  of  that  variety  being  always  removed  for 
planting  while  still  quite  small. 

The  habit  of  blossoming  a  second  time,  generally  in  July,  is  more 
characteristic  of  this  than  of  any  other  Tunisian  variety.  The  sec- 
ond-crop dates,  being  unpollinated,  are  seedless  and  remain  small  and 
green.  In  the  autumn  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  large  clusters  of 
them  overtopping  the  bunches  of  highly  colored  ripe  dates.  They 
remain  upon  the  trees  throughout  the  winter,  and  are  said  to  become 
soft  and  edible  in  May. 

The  Fteemy  variety  is  considered  one  of  the  most  productive,  giv- 
ing a  good  crop  every  year.  Trees  bearing  15  to  20  well-filled 
clusters  are  frequently  seen,  and  200  pounds  is  by  no  means  an  un- 
usual yield.  The  trees  begin  to  bear  a  considerable  amount  of  fruit 
when  only  five  years  old,  so  that  this  variety  comes  into  bearing  about 
twice  as  rapidly  as  the  Deglet  Noor. 

Fteemy  is  a  late-ripening  variety,  its  fruit  beginning  to  mature 
in  quantity  at  the  same  time  as  the  Deglet  Noor  (about  October  20). 
As  the  dates  can  be  left  on  the  trees  a  long  time  after  they  are  ripe 
without  deterioration,  unless  much  rain  falls,  the  harvest  of  this 
variety  is  generally  postponed  until  after  that  of  the  Deglet  Noor. 
Fteemy  dates  are  generally  the  last  to  be  gathered,  often  remaining 
on  the  palms  until  the  end  of  January. 

In  respect  to  ability  to  withstand  "  alkali  "  in  the  soil,  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  garden  in  the  saline  part  of  the  oasis  of  Tozer  told  the 
writer  that  he  considers  this  the  most  resistant  variety,  more  so  even 
than  Kenteeshy.  At  Nefta  the  amins  and  other  agricultural  experts 
ranked  it  among  the  four  most  alkali-resistant  varieties  of  the  oasis. 
At  El  Hamma  also  it  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  three  or  four  most 
resistant  kinds,  provided  it  is  abundantly  irrigated.  Of  this  variety 
25  offshoots  were  imported. 

ARESHTY  (p.  101). — (Name  spelled  Arichti  by  French  writers.)  A 
soft  date,  1§  to  2J  inches  long,  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide,  slightly 

92 


VAKIETIES    OF    PRIMARY    IMPORTANCE.  71 

larger  above  than  below  the  middle,  broad  and  rounded  at  the  apex, 
light  bay  or  hazel  brown  when  ripe,  the  flesh  2^  to  3  lines  thick,  firm 
but  tender,  the  seed  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  rather  thick, 
irregularly  roughened.  (Fig.  13.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  pale  orange.  The  foliage  of  this  variety  is  rather 
light,  and  the  leaves  droop  somewhat  as  in  Deglet  Noor  palms.  The 
Arabs  say  that  the  foliage  of  the  Areshty  is  greener  than  that  of  the 
Deglet  Noor.  The  leaflets  are  long,  narrow,  and  rather  sparse.  The 
spines  on  the  leafstalks  are  comparatively  few,  slender,  and  weak. 
The  trunk  is  stout. 

Frequent  in  the  oases  of  the  Jerid,  the  Nefzaoua,  and  Gabes,  but 
nowhere  abundant  in  Tunis.  At  Gabes  the  fruits  are  smaller  and 
duller  colored  than  in  the  Jerid,  and  are  said  not  to  preserve  well. 
It  occurs  also  in  Algeria,  at  Biskra,  and  in  the  Oued  Rirh.  This  is 
one  of  the  largest  dates  grown  in  Tunis.  The  fruit  is  generally  egg- 
shaped.  It  ripens  about  the  middle 
of  October,  but  is  considered  by  the 
natives  to  be  at  its  best  before  it  is 
perfectly  mature,  although  to  an 
American  palate  it  would  doubtless 
be  preferable  when  ripe.  The  flavor 
of  the  thoroughly  ripe  fruit  is  agree- 
able, although  not  very  remarkable. 
While  not  as  rich  and  sweet  as  the 
Boo  Affar  (see  p.  66),  it  is  whole- 
some,  nut-like,  and  not  easily  cloying. 
The  flesh  becomes  quite  firm  and  the 
ripe  fruit  keeps  its  shape  well  when  preserved.  Thirteen  Areshty 
offshoots  were  imported. 


DRY    DATES. 


HORRA  (p.  98). — The  name  is  also  spelled  Hourra,  Harra,  and 
Herra,  and  means  "  pure "  or  "  noble."  A  dry  date  (PI.  X,  fig. 
1),  about  2  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  ovate,  narrowed  from 
the  base  to  the  rounded  apex,  rather  dull  purplish  maroon  when  ripe, 
the  flesh  2  to  2J  lines  thick,  with  its  white  central  zone  much  thicker 
than  the  dark  outer  portion,  the  seed  usually  about  one-half  as  long 
as  the  fruit.  (Fig.  14.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters are  orange  yellow.  The  leaves  are  large,  with  very  numerous 
slender  leaflets. 

This  variety,  which  also  occurs  in  Algeria — at  Biskra  and  in  the 
Oued  Rirh — is  frequent  in  the  Jerid  and  abundant  in  the  Nefzaoua, 
where,  the  Deglet  Noor  not  being  grown,  it  is  generally  esteemed  as 
the  finest  variety.  At  Gabes  there  are  a  few  trees,  but  the  variety 

92 


72  DATE    VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

does  not  thrive  well  so  near  the  sea.  The  fruit  is  the  largest  and 
finest  produced  by  any  variety  of  the  dry  date  class.  This,  indeed, 
can  be  regarded  as  a  connecting  link  between  the  dry  dates  and  some 
of  the  firm-fleshed  type  of  soft  dates  (Khalt  Horraowia,  Khalt  Mooa- 
shem,  etc.).  Horra  dates  ripen  in  September  and  October.  The 
flesh  becomes  quite  solid  in  the  ripe  fruit,  but  is  never  extremely 
hard  and  dry.  It  has  the  characteristic  nutty  flavor  of  the  dry  dates, 
but  is  much  richer  than  most  of  them.  It  is  at  its  best  only  when 
perfectly  mature.  Europeans  who  are  acquainted  with  this  date 
praise  it  highly.  Du  Paty  de  Clam  a  pronounces  it  a  "  rival  of  the 
Deglet  [Noor]."  The  commandant  of  the  French  garrison  at  Kebili 
likes  it  better  than  the  Deglet  Noor,  and  gives  it  the  preference  over 
all  other  varieties  for  planting  in  his  garden.  Not  only  is  it  highly 
esteemed  by  the  natives,  but  it  is  said  to  be  exported  to  Europe  and 

even  to  France.  The  caid  of  Kebili 
ranks  it  among  the  seven  best-keep- 
ing varieties  of  the  Nefzaoua.  It  is 
a  medium  earty  sort,  ripening  in  the 
latter  part  of  October.  The  palms 
have  not  a  very  vigorous  look,  yet 
they  appear  to  be  resistant  to  alkali 
in  the  soil  and  to  thrive  with  less 
irrigation  than  such  varieties  as 
Deglet  Noor  and  Fteemy.  Forty- 

PIO.  M.-Out.inHo™   seed  «d        e;ght   offsh(X)ts    rf    ^   variety    ^ 

imported.  Nearly  all  of  these  were 
obtained  in  the  Nefzaoua,  as  in  the  Jerid  offshoots  are  scarce  and  the 
natives  are  reluctant  to  part  with  them. 

KENTA  (p.  97).— A  date  of  the  dry  type  (PI.  X,  fig.  2),  1J  to  1J 
inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  narrowed  from  the  middle  or 
above  it  to  the  broad  apex,  dull  bay  colored  when  ripe,  much  of  the 
skin  loosened  in  large  blisters  in  the  ripe  fruit,  the  flesh  1J  to  2  lines 
thick,  the  seed  somewhat  more  than  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
rounded  at  both  ends,  light  brown.  (Fig.  15.)  The  leaves  of  this 
variety  are  rather  broad,  with  numerous  long,  narrow  leaflets.  The 
long  leafstalks  are  spiny  only  near  the  base.  The  light  orange  stalks 
of  the  fruit  clusters  are  stout  and  horizontal  or  ascending,  and  so 
short  that  with  the  bunches  they  do  not  equal  the  leafstalks.  The 
clusters  themselves  are  short,  thick,  and  densely  crowded  with  fruit. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  and  most  widely  grown  of 
the  dry  dates  found  in  Tunis,  and  is  said  also  to  occur  in  Algeria. 
While  abundant  in  the  Jerid,  it  is  relatively  much  more  important 

o  Etude  sur  le  Djerid,  Bui.  Geogr.  Hist,  et  Descr.,  No.  3   (1893).     Separate, 
issued  in  1894,  p.  12. 
92 


VARIETIES   OF   PRIMARY   IMPORTANCE.  73 

in  the  Nefzaoua.  One-fourth  of  the  palms  in  the  oasis  of  Kebili  are 
said  to  be  of  this  variety,  and  the  French  commandant  there  has 
selected  it,  together  with  Horra  (see  p.  71) ,  for  planting  in  his  garden. 
It  is  also  very  important  at  Gabes,  where  it  is  ranked  among  the  six 
best  kinds  of  the  region.  The  fruit  is  of  medium  size  and,  as  indi- 
cated in  the  key  (p.  97),  is  remarkable  among  the  dry  dates  for  the 
manner  in  which  the  skin  becomes  loosened  into  large  blisters,  which 
is  usually  a  peculiarity  of  the  soft  dates  rather  than  of  the  dry  dates. 
The  flesh  is  rather  thin  and  becomes  quite  firm,  although  not  very  dry, 
in  the  perfectly  ripe  fruit.  The  surface  is  clean  and  dry,  even  when 
the  fruit  is  quite  ripe.  It  is  not  sirupy,  although  pleasantly  sweet, 
and  can  be  eaten  in  quantity  without  cloying.  The  flavor  is  very 
agreeable,  wholesome,  and  of  the  nutty  quality  characteristic  of  most 
dry  dates.  Dates  of  this  type,  if  extensively  grown  in  this  country, 
might  become  an  important  element  in  the  diet  of  those  who  prefer 
vegetable  to  animal  food.0  Fruit  of  this  variety  is  said  to  sell  on  the 
trees  at  $1.12  to  $1.20  per  hundred  pounds, 
a  little  less  than  one-half  the  selling  price 
of  Deglet  Noor  dates. 

The  Kenta  date  is  one  of  the  best  in  keeping 
quality  of  the  dry  dates,  retaining  its  shape 
perfectly  and  never  becoming  extremely 
hard,  as  do  most  of  that  class.  At  Gabes 
it  is  preserved  in  earthenware  jars,  and  is 
said  by  the  amins  (agricultural  experts)  to 

J  v .'  .  /,,          FIG.  15.-0utlines  of  Kenta  seed 

be  one  of  the  two  best  keeping  sorts  of  the        and  fruit.   (Natural  size.) 
region.     One  of  the  amins,  wishing  to  em- 
phasize its  importance  as  a  staple  article  of  food,  likened  it  to 
wheat  or  barley  and  the  soft  dates  to  confectionery.    The  caid  of 
Kebili  cited  it  among  the  seven  best-keeping  varieties.     It  is  an  im- 
portant article  of  commerce  between  the  inhabitants  of  the  oases  and 
the  natives  of  other  parts  of  Tunis  and  Algeria,  and  is  said  even  to  be 
exported  from  the  Nefzaoua  to  Europe  (probably  to  Italy). 

Kenta  is  a  comparatively  early  ripening  variety,  maturing  in  the 
Jerid  about  the  middle  of  October  and  perhaps  earlier.  Its  fruits, 
like  those  of  others  of  its  type  (e.  g.,  Angoo  and  Remta),  are  said  to 
be  less  liable  than  the  soft  dates  to  be  spoiled  if  rain  falls  upon  them 
when  in  the  ripening  stage.  At  Gabes  it  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
two  most  productive  varieties.  It  is  said  to  give  an  abundant  crop 
every  year.  In  the  Jerid  many  trees  are  pointed  out  as  yielding  330 
pounds  of  fruit.  M.  Minangoin  mentions  a  tree  at  El  Oudiane  that 
is  said  to  produce  770  pounds,  and  also  trees  at  Kebili  at  least  200 
years  old  that  still  yield  265  pounds  of  fruit  annually. 

aAs  suggested  by  Mr.  O.  F.  Cook.     See  Bui.  53,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  p.  31. 
92 


74  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

In  the  Jerid,  Kenta  is  said  to  be  the  most  salt-resistant  variety  in 
high-lying,  well-drained  land.  At  Gabes,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is 
cited  as  the  only  variety  that  is  not  salt  resistant;  but  this  may  be 
because  most  of  the  saline  land  of  the  oases  is  low  and  badly  drained. 

Forty-three  offshoots  of  this  variety  were  imported,  the  great  major- 
ity of  which  were  obtained  in  the  Nefzaoua  oases. 

VARIETIES  OF  SECONDARY   IMPORTANCE. 

DRY    DATES. 

ANGOO  (p.  97). — Fruit  barely  1  inch  long,  about  seven-tenths  as 
wide,  sometimes  broadest  below,  sometimes  above  the  middle,  bright 
bay  colored  when  ripe,  much  of  the  skin  becoming  loosened  in  large 
blisters,  the  flesh  a  little  more  than  1  line  thick,  becoming  firm  and 
dry,  the  white  central  portion  thicker  than  the  dark-colored  outer 
zone,  the  seed  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  one-half 
as  wide  as  long,  light  (drab)  brown.  (Fig.  16.) 
The  stalks  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  lemon  yellow 
(not  orange).  The  branches  of  the  clusters  are 
very  densely  crowded  with  the  small  fruits,  which 
hang  on  persistently  after  ripening  instead  of  be- 
coming easily  detached. 

This,  the  smallest  fruited  of  the  Tunisian  vari- 
eties, is  found  apparently  only  in  the  Jerid,  and  is 

FlAng1oo~0setedne8an°d  best  known  as  E1  Hamma.  It  appears  to  be  no- 
fruit.  (Natural  where  common.  Despite  its  diminutive  size  and  thin 
flesh,  this  little  date  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  of 
the  dry  type.  Because  of  its  moderately  sweet,  nutty,  wholesome 
flavor  it  can  be  eaten  in  large  quantity  without  cloying,  and  should 
be  a  healthful  food.  Like  Kenta  (see  p.  72),  it  is  exceptional  among 
the  dry  dates,  because  its  skin  becomes  loosened  into  blisters  over 
much  of  the  surface  of  the  fruit.  The  fruits  are  said  to  be  little  in- 
jured by  autumn  rains.  They  ripen  in  midautumn,  keep  well,  and 
are  much  sought  by  the  nomads  of  other  parts  of  Tunis  and  Algeria. 
Of  this  variety  ten  offshoots  were  imported. 

THABY  (p.  98). — The  name,  which  means  "  golden,"  is  also  written 
"  Dzhabi,"  and  is  sometimes  pronounced  as  if  spelled  Derby.0  Fruit 
1J  inches  or  slightty  longer,  about  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  often 
slightly  constricted  a  little  above  the  base,  somewhat  pointed  at 
apex,  bright  reddish  brown  when  ripe;  the  flesh  1  to  1J  lines  thick, 
rather  tough,  the  dark-colored  outer  zone  apparently  much  thicker 

a  A  variety  called  El  Darbia,   described  as  having  a  "  green,   dry  fruit  of 
medium  size,"  occurs  in  Algeria. 
02 


VARIETIES    OF    SECONDARY    IMPORTANCE.  75 


than  the  white  inner  portion;  seed  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the 
fruit,  rather  slender.  (Fig.  17.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  rich  orange  colored. 

This  variety  appears  to  be  confined  to  the  Jerid,  and  to  be  by  no 
means  common  there.  It  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  dry  dates, 
and  one  of  the  most  attractive  when  preserved,  keeping  perfectly  its 
shape  and  its  beautiful  warm,  reddish  brown  color.  Unlike  most  of 
the  dry  dates,  in  this  variety  the  comparatively  soft  and  dark  part 
of  the  flesh  is  thicker  than  the  firm,  white 
core.  It  has  an  agreeable,  wholesome 
flavor,  and  can  be  eaten  in  quantity  with- 
out cloying  It  matures  in  October.  Of 
the  Thaby  variety,  fifteen  offshoots  were 
imported. 

LEMSY  (p.  99).     Fruit  1J  to  If  inches 
long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  elliptical  in 
outline,  not  conspicuously  narrowed  to  the      FIG.  i7.-outiines  of  Thaby  seed 
apex,  often  slightly  curved,  dull  purplish 

maroon  when  ripe;  the  flesh  1  to  2  lines  thick,  becoming  very  firm 
•mcl  dry ;  the  seed  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  generally  one- 
third  as  wide  as  long.  (Fig.  18.)  The  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters 
are  orange  colored. 

This  variety  is  said  to  be  known  in  the  Nefzaoua  as  Halooa  Hamra. 
It  is  common  at  Gabes  and  in  the  Nefzaoua,  but  is  apparently  want- 
ing in  the  Jerid.    It  is  a  small,  thin-fleshed,  dry  date,  sometimes  pre- 
served, but  usually  eaten  fresh  and  even 
<"***v  before  it  is  perfectly  ripe,  as  the  flesh  soon 
^S  becomes  dry  and  hard.     It  is  deliciously 

sweet  and  has  a  fine  flavor,  tasting  some- 
what like  a  chestnut.  At  Gabes,  where  it 
is  regarded  as  a  great  delicacy,  it  is  said  to 
mature  at  the  end  of  August,  at  the  same 
time  as  Ammary  (see  p.  87).  Of  Lemsy 

FIG.  18.-0utlines  of  Lemsy  seed       two  offshoots  were  imported. 

and  fruit.     (Natural  size.)  _T  /         ™\          A  i  n     i 

HALOOA  BAYDA    (p.  99). — Also  spelled 

"  Halouaia,"  which  designates  the  palm,  "  Halooa  "  referring  to  the 
fruit  itself.  The  name  means  "  white  sweetmeat."  Fruit  1J  to  \\ 
inches  long,  about  one-half  wide,  elliptical  in  outline,  not  con- 
spicuously narrowed  at  the  apex,  widest  near  the  middle,  dull  pur- 
plish bay  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  1  to  1 J  lines  thick,  becoming  very  firm 
and  dry;  the  seed  about  seven-tenths  as  long  as  the  fruit  and  one- 
third  to  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long.  (Fig.  19.)  The  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  pale  orange. 

92 


76  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

This  variety,  which  is  not  common  in  the  Jerid,  abounds  in  the 
Nefzaoua.  The  Halooa  of  the  Algerian  oases 
appears  to  be  distinct  (see  p.  99).  It  is  much 
like  the  Lemsy  (see  p.  75),  but  the  fruit  is  even 
smaller.  It  ripens  rather  early  (October  10, 
according  to  Masselot),  and  is  generally  eaten 
fresh,  becoming  hard  and  dry  when  preserved. 
Because  of  their  simple,  wholesome  flavor  and 
not  excessive  sweetness,  the  writer  found  it 


FIG.  i9.-0utimes  of  Haiooa    possible  to  eat  dates  such  as  Lemsy  and  Halooa 

Bayda    seed    and    fruit.     £L  J      . 

(Natural  size.)  Bayda  much  more  freely  than  the  rich,  sirupy 

kinds.     Offshoots  of  this  variety  to  the  number 
of  24,  mostly  obtained  in  the  Nefzaoua,  were  imported. 


SOFT    DATES. 


MOKH  BEGRY  (p.  100).  —  French  orthography,  Moukh  Begri.  The 
name  signifies  "  the  brain  of  an  ox."  Fruit  (PL  X,  fig.  4)  1-J  to  1£ 
inches  long,  about  three-fourths  as  wide,  broadest  at  the  base  and 
narrowed  thence  to  the  broad  rounded  apex,  flattened  on  the  sides, 
bright  bay  colored  when  ripe  ;  the  flesh  very  soft,  about  1  J  lines  thick, 
rather  dark  colored,  translucent;  the  seed  light  brown,  one-half  to 
two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  twice  as 
long  as  wide,  rounded  at  both  ends.  (Fig.  20.) 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters 
are  light  orange. 

This  is  an  extremely  rare  and  much  esteemed 
variety,  apparently  occuring  only  in  the  Jerid 
oases.  The  trees  are  said  not  to  bear  heavily. 
The  dates  are  rather  small  and  have  an  unusual 
shape.  The  translucent  flesh  is  very  soft,  but 
the  fruit  is  said  to  preserve  well.  It  is  very  Fm.  go.—outiines  of 


sweet  and  of  delicious  flavor,  resembling  and       ^^J6^  and  fruit' 
perhaps  equaling  the  Deglet  Noor.     The  fruits 

ripen  in  the  latter  part  of  October.     After  a  thorough  search  only 
two  offshoots  could  be  procured  for  importation. 

BAYDH  HAMMAM  (p.  100)  .  —  The  name  means  "  pigeon  egg."  Fruit 
If  to  1  j  inches  long,  three-eights  to  five-eighths  as  wide,  egg-shaped, 
broadest  near  the  middle,  rather  conspicuously  blunt  pointed  at  apex. 
not  keeping  its  shape  well,  dark  chestnut  brown  with  a  tinge  of 
maroon  when  ripe;  the  flesh  very  soft  and  dark  colored,  about  2 
lines  thick  ;  the  seed  one-half  to  five-eighths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one- 
third  to  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  dark  brown.  (Fig.  21.)  The 
stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  orange  colored.  The 

92 


VARIETIES    OF    SECONDARY   IMPORTANCE. 


77 


v__^ 


FlG.  2Loutimes  of  fiaydh  Ham- 

mam  seed  and  fruit.    (Natural 


foliage  is  of  a  rather  delicate  aspect  and  the  leaves  numerous,  the 
leaflets  long,  narrow,  and  rather  sparse. 

This  is  a  handsome  dark-brown  date,  with  very  soft  dark-colored 
flesh.  It  is  always  eaten  fresh,  not  being  conservable.  It  is  exceed- 
ingly sweet.  The  flavor  of  the  perfectly  ripe  fruit  is  agreeable  and 
very  characteristic,  resembling  that  of  Tozer  Zaid  Safra  (see  p.  85). 
To  the  writer's  taste,  however,  it  is  far  less  attractive  than  that  of 
the  Deglet  Noor  type  or  even  of  the  dry 
dates,  and  it  very  soon  cloys.  The  natives 
esteem  it  highly,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  in  harvesting  the  Baydh  Hammam 
the  clusters  are  carefully  passed  from 
hand  to  hand  down  the  trunk,  instead  of 
being  dropped  to  the  ground  by  the  man 
who  cuts  them.  The  Baydh  Hammam  is 
common  in  the  Jerid,  and  is  said  to  occur 
also  in  the  Nefzaoua,  as  well  as  in  Al- 

geria    (Biskra    and    Oued    Rirh).      It    rip- 

ens  rather  late,  hardly  before  November. 

Of  this  variety  20  offshoots  were  imported,  all  from  the  Jerid. 
KSEBA  (p.  100).  —  (Kessebi  is  probably  another  spelling  of  the  same 
name.  )  Fruit  about  1  J  inches  long,  two-thirds  as  wide,  ovate  or  oblong 
ovate,  widest  below  the  middle,  purplish  maroon  or  bay  when  ripe  ;  the 
flesh  2  to  2J  lines  thick,  firm  yet  tender;  the  seed  very  nearly  two- 
thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  russet  brown. 
(Fig.  22.)  The  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  deep  orange.  The 

foliage  is  characterized  by  having  few  spines, 
and  these  are  slender  and  weak. 

This  variety  is  rare  in  the  Jerid,  but  in 
the  Nefzaoua,  at  Gabes,  and  at  Gafsa  it  is 
one  of  the  most  important  sorts.  A  date  of 
the  same  name,  described  as  a  soft  date,  and 
possibly  identical,  occurs  in  the  Oued  Rirh 
oases  of  Algeria.  The  fruit,  which  pre- 
serves well,  is  very  sweet  and  well  flavored, 
jn  the  latter  respect  being  intermediate  be- 

/ 

tween  Horra  and  Lagoo  (see  pp.  (I  and  80). 
The  Kseba  variety,  which  ripens  easily  at  Gafsa  (see  p.  20),  may  be 
found  valuable  for  regions  where  the  temperatures  are  not  sufficiently 
high  to  mature  the  Deglet  Noor  and  other  choice  sorts.  Its  fruits 
ripen  in  October.  Offshoots  to  the  number  of  15  were  imported. 

DOONGA  (p.  101).  —  Sometimes  spelled  "  Denanga."a     Fruit  a  little 
more  than  H  inches  long,  six-tenths  to  seven-tenths  as  wide,  egg- 


FIG.  ^.-outlines  of  Kseba  seed 

and  fruit.     (Natural  size.) 


o  The  "  Dengui  "  variety  found  at  Gabes  is  a  different  date. 


92 


78  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

shaped,  broadest  near  the  base,  dull  dark  purplish  maroon  when  ripe ; 
the  flesh  H  to  2  lines  thick,  the  firm  white  central  portion  nearly  as 
thick  as  the  soft,  dark  outer  zone;  seed  small  and  thick,  only  about 
one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit  and  about  one-half  as  wide  as  long, 
narrowed  at  both  ends.  (Fig.  23.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  light  orange. 

This  variety,  which  is  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  and  fre- 
quently planted  in  the  Nefzaoua,  does  not  appear  to  be  found  in  the 
Jerid.  It  is  a  dark-colored,  rather  small  date,  with  moderately  soft, 
dark-colored  flesh,  and  with  a  clean,  dry  skin.  It  is  very  sweet  and 
of  a  fine  flavor,  suggesting  that  of  the  Deglet  Noor.  The  number  of 
Doonga  offshoots  imported  wras  10,  all  from  the  Nefzaoua. 

BESSER  HALOO  (p.  101). — Also  spelled  "  Bisra  Haloua."  The  name 
means  a  sweetmeat  (haloo)  that  is  eaten  just  before  it  is  thoroughly 
ripe  (besser).  Fruit  1^  to  1J  inches  long,  about  two-thirds  as  wide, 
broadest  at  or  above  the  middle,  rounded  at  the  apex,  keeping  its 
shape  wrell  when  ripe,  bright  bay  colored ;  the  flesh  2  lines  thick,  com- 
paratively dry  when  the  fruit  is  ripe,  light  brown ;  the  seed  two- thirds 

to     three-fourths    as 

long     as     the     fruit 

generally     two-fifths 

as     wide     as     long, 

with    more    or    less 

conspicuous    wing- 

like    ridges    on    the 

sides.      (Fig.    24.) 

The  leaves  are  short 

FIG.  23.— Outlines   of   Docmga       and   rather  Stiff,  with      FIG.  24.— Outlines  of    Besser 
seed^  and    fruit.     (Natural       comparatively      short         22iS?  "^  "*" '  .^ 

stalks  and  wide  leaf- 
lets.    The  spreading  or  ascending  stalks  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  so 
short  that  the  small  bunches  are  nearly  hidden  by  the  foliage. 

This  is  a  common  and  highly  esteemed  variety  in  the  Jerid,  and  is 
said  to  be  found  also  in  the  Nefzaoua,  as  well  as  at  Biskra  and  in  the 
Oued  Rirh,  in  Algeria.  It  is  one  of  the  kinds  that  is  most  sought  by 
the  nomads  of  the  interior,  who  come  to  the  oases  in  the  autumn  to 
exchange  their  grain  for  dates.  It  is  a  small,  light-colored  date,  with 
thick,  comparatively  firm  flesh.  It  is  very  sweet  and  has  an  agree- 
able flavor,  somewhat  intermediate  between  that  of  Lagoo  (p.  80)  and 
that  of  Horra  (p.  71).  The  natives  seem  to  prefer  it  when  not  per- 
fectly ripe.  It  matures  early  in  October.  According  to  information 
obtained  by  M.  Minangoin,  it  yields  a  good  crop  every  year  and  is 
one  of  the  six  most  productive  varieties  of  the  Jerid.  At  Nefta  the 
amins  (see  p.  32)  rank  it  among  the  four  most  salt-resistant  varieties 

92 


VARIETIES    OF    SECONDARY    IMPORTANCE.  79 

of  the  oasis.     Of  this  variety  18  offshoots  were  imported,  all  from  the 
Jerid. 

OKHT  FTEEMY  (p.  102). — The  French  orthography  is  Oukht  Ftimi. 
The  name  means  "  sister  of  Fteemy,"  this  variety  greatly  re- 
sembling Fteemy  in  its  trunk  and  foliage  characters,  as  well  as  in  its 
fruits.  Fruit  2  to  2J  inches  long,  about  two-fifths  as  wide,  oblong, 
straight,  somewhat  pointed  at  the  apex,  deep  purplish  maroon  when 
ripe,  the  surface  shining;  the  flesh  2J  to  3  lines  thick,  soft;  the  seed 
slender,  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  less  than  one-third  as 
wide  as  long,  dark  brown.  (Fig.  25.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of 
the  fruit  clusters  are  rich  orange. 

The  numerous  leaves  are  long  and  /^  N 

broad,  crowded  with  long  leaflets.  * 

The  many  fruit  clusters  are  short- 
stalked  and  almost  hidden  by  the 
foliage. 

This  variety  appears  to  be  con- 
fined to  the  Jerid,  being  especially 


abundant  at  Nefta,  where  it  is  pre-  FlG-  25.-Outlines  of  Okht  Fteemy  seed  and 
,,  „  ,  .,  fruit.  (Natural  size.) 

lerred  to  rteemy,  while  at   lozer 

the  latter  is  better  liked.  The  very  handsome  fruit  is  longer  and 
more  slender  than  that  of  Fteemy  (p.  68),  and  is  often  brighter  col- 
ored, but  is  otherwise  very  similar.  In  regard  to  flavor,  the  writer 

could  detect  no  difference.  Al- 
though verjf  soft  and  sirupy,  the 
fruits  preserve  well,  Okht  Fteemy 
being  enumerated  by  one  authority 
among  the  seven  best-keeping  sorts. 
The  fruits  are  said  to  be  the  kind 
most  in  demand  by  the  nomads 
from  other  parts  of  North  Africa 
who  obtain  their  supply  of  dates 
FIG.  ^.-outlines  of  Bhars  seed  and  fruit.  in  the  Jerid,  and  who  exchange 

(Natural  size.)  '     ,  i     \         p 

4   measures    (about   2|    pecks)    or 
wheat  for  9  measures  (about  5^  pecks)  of  dates  of  this  variety. 

Okht  Fteemy  palms  give  a  good  crop  every  year  and  are  very  pro- 
ductive, this  being  among  the  six  best-yielding  varieties  in  the  Jerid, 
according  to  M.  Minangoin.  A  tree  at  Nefta,  by  no  means  excep- 
tionally productive,  which  had  15  well-furnished  clusters  of  fruit, 
was  estimated  by  the  tenant  of  the  garden  in  which  it  grew  to  bear 
at  least  220  pounds  of  fruit.  These  dates  are  not  generally  ripe  be- 
fore November.  The  amins  of  Nefta  place  this  among  the  four  most 
alkali-resistant  varieties  of  the  oasis.  Offshoots  to  the  number  of  21 
were  imported. 

92 


80  DATE   VARIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN    TUNIS. 


(p.  102).  —  Also  known  as  Rhars  (or  Ghars  or  Gheress) 
Mettigui.  Fruit  If  to  over  2  inches  long,  two-fifths  to  nearly  one- 
half  as  wide,  oblong  or  inversely  egg-shaped,  bay  colored  when  ripe, 
the  surface  somewhat  shining  ;  the  flesh  2  to  4  lines  thick,  very  soft  ; 
the  slender  seed  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  not  more  than 
one-third  as  wide  as  long,  broad  and  rounded  at  both  ends.  (Fig. 
26.)  The  ripe  fruit  does  not  keep,  its  shape  well  when  preserved. 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  bright  orange.  The 
trunk  is  stout  and  the  foliage  luxuriant,  the  numerous  long  leaves 
being  crowded  with  long,  broad  leaflets. 

This  variety,  so  abundant  and  so  important  in  the  oases  of  eastern 
Algeria,  is  rare  in  Tunis,  its  place  being  taken  by  varieties  such  as 
Fteemy  and  Okht  Fteemy.  (See  pp.  68  and  79.)  While  the  latter, 
however,  are  among  the  latest  ripening  kinds,  Rhars  is  one  of  the 
earliest.  It  is  said  by  Masselot  to  begin  to  ripen  in  the  Jerid  as 
early  as  the  end  of  July.  The  fruit  is  large,  bay  colored  when  ripe, 
AviJV  ii'upy,  translucent  flesh,  very  sweet  and  rich 

flavored.  Although  not  one  of  the 
best-keeping  sorts,  it  is  preserved  by 
natives  in  skins  for  use  during  the 
winter.  No  offshoots  of  this  variety 
were  imported  from  Tunis,  as  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  had  pre- 
viously introduced  large  numbers  from 
Algeria. 

FIG.  27.-Outlines  of  Lagoo  seed  and  L.AGOO      (p.      102).—  Fruit     nearlv     2 

fruit.    (Natural  size.)  .  .  J., 

inches  long,  less  than  one-half  as  wide, 

oblong,  tapering  slightly  to  the  apex,  more  or  less  curved,  bay  to 
light  maroon  colored  when  ripe,  the  surface  somewhat  shining;  the 
flesh  about  2  lines  thick,  rather  tough,  dark  colored;  the  seed  slen- 
der, three-fifths  to  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  not  more  than 
one-third  as  wide  as  long,  russet  brown,  its  surface  roughened  with 
fine  wrinkles.  (Fig.  27.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit 
clusters  are  orange  colored.  The  crown  of  foliage  is  rather  small, 
the  leaves  short  and  rather  stiff,  with  long,  rather  wide  leaflets.  The 
short,  densely  crowded  fruit  clusters  do  not  equal  the  leafstalks. 
(PL  VI,  fig.  2.) 

This  variety  is  apparently  confined  to  the  Jerid  oases,  where  it  is 
fairly  common  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  the  natives.  It  is  one  of 
the  earliest  kinds,  being  said  to  ripen  by  the  middle  of  September. 
and  even  (according  to  Masselot)  in  August.  The  fruit  is  of 
medium  length,  narrow,  and  is  dark  colored  when  ripe.  The  flesh 
is  rather  thin,  but  soft,  very  sweet,  and  of  an  agreeable,  character- 
istic flavor,  somewhat  resembling  the  Rhars  variety.  It  keeps  well 
M 


VARIETIES   OF   SECONDARY   IMPORTANCE.  81 

and  is  exported  throughout  Tunis  and  Algeria.     Of  this  variety 
23  offshoots  were  imported. 

ZEKRY  (p.  103).— Also  spelled  "  Zechri."  Fruit  1£  to  nearly  If 
inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  inversely  egg-shaped,  keeping 
its  shape  fairly  well  when  preserved,  bay  to  maroon  when  ripe;  the 
flesh  about  1^  lines  thick,  moderately  soft ;  the  seed  between  one-half 
and  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long. 
(Fig.  28.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  orange  colored. 

This  variety,  infrequent  in  the  Jerid,  is 
common  in  the  Nefzaoua,  where  it  is  in 
high  repute.  When  perfectly  ripe  the 
flesh,  although  rather  thin,  is  soft  and  very 
sweet.  The  flavor  is  characteristic,  sug- 
gesting both  chestnuts  and  persimmons. 
The  palms  are  said  to  yield  heavily.  Of 
this  interesting  variety  11  offshoots  were 
imported,  all  from  the  Nefzaoua. 

KHALT  MOOASHEM  (p.  104). — The  name  means  "  tattooed  Khalt."  ° 
Fruit  If  to  nearly  2  inches  long;  about  one-half  as  wide,  egg-shaped, 
narrowed  from  about  the  middle  to  the  rounded  apex,  keeping  its 
shape  perfectly  when  preserved,  dark  prune  purple  when  ripe,  the  skin 
mostly  adhering  very  closely  to  the  flesh,  conspicuously  marked  with 
transverse  and  longitudinal  scars  (hence  the  name) ;  the  flesh  about 

2  lines  thick,  firm  yet  tender;  the  seed 
about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
nearly  one-half  as  wide  as  long,  broad- 
est near  the  middle,  light  brown,  rough. 
(Fig.  29.)  The  branches  of  the  fruit 
clusters  are  bright  orange. 

A  rare  variety  of  •  the  Jerid.     The 
excellent  fruit  is  characterized  by  its 
dark    prune    color,    curiously    scarred 
skin,    copious    flesh,    and    very    sweet, 
FIG.  29.-outimes  of  Khait  Mooashem     highly  attractive  flavor.     It  apparently 

seed  and  fruit.    (Natural  size.)  ^pg      perfectly.        Thirteen      offshoots 

were  imported. 

KHALT  DEGLAOWIA  (p.  104).— The  name  signifies  '"  Khalt  resem- 
bling a  Deglet  (Noor)."  Fruit  If  to  If  inches  long,  about  one-half 
as  wide,  egg-shaped,  narrowed  from  about  the  middle  to  the  rounded 
apex,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved,  dark  maroon  purple 
when  ripe,  much  of  the  skin  loosened  into  soft  blisters,  the  flesh 

« Although  the  word  "  khalt "  is  generally  defined  as  meaning  a  dry  date, 
most  of  the  "  khalts  "  of  the  Jerid  oases  which  have  received  special  names  are 
soft  dates  and  often  of  excellent  quality. 

30618— No  92—0(5 0 


82  DATE   VAKIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN    TUNIS. 

about  2  lines  thick,  firm  yet  tender ;  the  seed  about  two-fifths  as  long 
as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide  as  long,  cinnamon  brown.  (Fig. 
30.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  light  yellow 
(not  orange). 

This  variety  occurs  apparently  only  at  Nefta,  and  is  not  common 
there.  The  fruit  is  rather  small,  with  fairly  thick,  firm  flesh.  The 
fine  flavor  suggests  that  of  the  Deglet  Noor,  which  it  resembles  also 
in  the  shape  of  the  fruit  and  the  maize-yellow  color  of  the  branches  of 
the  clusters.  Of  this  rare  variety  only  two  offshoots  could  be  pro- 
cured. 

KHALT  HORRAOWIA  (p.  105). — The  name  means  "  Khalt  resembling 
Horra."  Fruit  1J  to  over  2  inches  long,  narrowed  from  near  the 
base  to  the  somewhat  pointed  apex,  keeping  its  shape  well  when 
preserved,  dark  maroon  purple  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  2  to  3  lines  thick, 
firm  yet  tender,  very  sugary;  the  seed  about  one-half  as  long  as  the 
fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide  as  long.  (Fig.  31.)  The  branches 


FIG.  30.— Outlines  of  Khalt  Degla- 
owia  seed  and  fruit.    (Natural  Fl«-  31.— Outlines   of   Khalt   Horraowia 

size.)  seed  and  fruit.    (Natural  size. ) 

of  the  fruit  clusters  are  orange  colored.    The  crown  of  foliage  is 
well  developed,  the  leaves  large  and  the  leaflets  long  and  numerous. 

A  fine  variety  of  the  Jerid,  by  no  means  common.  The  large,  hand- 
some fruit  somewhat  resembles  that  of  Horra  (see  p.  71),  both  in 
appearance  and  flavor.  The  flesh  is  copious,  firm  yet  tender,  and 
contains  a  great  deal  of  sugar.  Six  offshoots  were  obtained. 

VARIETIES  OF   MINOR  IMPORTANCE. 
DRY    DATES. 

BAYJOO  (p.  97). — French  orthography,  Badjou.  Fruit  1J  inches 
long,  about  two-thirds  as  wide,  egg-shaped,  purplish  maroon  or  bay 
colored  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  1 J  lines  thick ;  the  seed  nearly  two-thirds 
as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-half  as  wide  as  long,  light  brown.  (Fig.  32.) 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  pale  orange  colored. 
The  leaves  are  numerous,  short  but  with  long  stalks  and  rather  stiff, 
the  leaflets  long  and  broad  but  rather  sparse.  The  small,  dense 
bunches  of  fruit  hang  down  on  long  curved  stalks, 

92 


VARIETIES   OF   MINOR   IMPORTANCE. 


83 


FIG.  32.— Outlines  of  Bayjoo 
seed    and    fruit.     (Natural 

size.) 


Abundant  in  the  Jerid,  and  occurs  also  in  the  Nefzaoua.  It  is  one 
of  the  varieties  most  widely  exported  to  other  parts  of  Tunis  and 
Algeria.  Flavor  nutty,  agreeable,  but  not  very  characteristic,  typ- 
ical of  the  dry  date  class.  Matures  in  October  (the  20th,  according 
to  Masselot) .  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  7,  all  from  the  Jerid. 

REMTA  (p.  98). — Also  spelled  Remtsa  (probably  a  misprint). 
Fruit  1£  to  If  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  somewhat 
pointed  (bluntly)  at  the  apex,  generally  distinctly  constricted  a  lit- 
tle above  the  base,  dark  maroon  colored  when 
ripe;  the  flesh  about  1  line  thick,  rather 
tough;  the  seed  one-half  to  two-thirds  as 
long  as  the  fruit,  a  little  less  than  one-half 
as  wide  as  long.  (Fig.  33.)  The  stalks  and 
branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  bright 
orange. 

Occurs  in  the  Jerid,  especially  at  El  Ham- 
ma,  but  appears  to  be  uncommon.  Is  readily 
distinguished  from  other  dry  dates  by  being 
generally  distinctly  constricted  a  little  above 
the  base;  hence  resembling  Boo  Fagoos  (see  p.  67)  in  shape.  Flesh 
firm,  moderately  sweet,  with  an  agreeable  flavor  resembling  that  of 
Thaby  (see  p.  75),  to  which  this  variety  appears  to  be  closely  related. 
Said  to  ripen  early  (in  October)  and  not  to  be  injured  by  autumn 
rains.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  10. 

HAMRA  (p.  98). — The  name  means  "red."  Sometimes  called 
Hamraia  (referring  to  the  tree  rather  than  the  fruit).0  Fruit 

1J  to  2  inches  long,  about  one-half  as 
wide,  egg-shaped,  tapering  from  near  the 
base  to  the  rounded  apex,  bright  pur- 
plish maroon  when  ripe,  the  colors  very 
handsome ;  the  flesh  1  to  3  lines  thick,  be- 
coming quite  firm,  the  dark-colored  outer 
zone  thicker  than  the  white  central  por- 
tion; the  seed  two-thirds  to  four-fifths 
as  long  as  the  fruit,  generally  about  two- 
fifths  as  wide  as  long,  sometimes  with 
strongly  developed  wing-like  ridges  on 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters 


FIG.  33.— Outlines  of  Bemta  seed 
and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


the  sides.     (Fig.  34.) 
are  orange  colored. 

Fairly  common  in  the  Jerid  and  the  Nefzaoua,  occurring  also  in 
Algeria.  Is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  showy  of  the  dry  dates. 
Much  resembles  Horra  (see  p.  71)  and  surpasses  it  in  brightness  of 

oHamra  Bischry   (or  Bechry)   is  said  by  some  of  the  natives  of  the  Jerid 
to  be  identical  with  Hamra,  although  described  in  Algeria  as  a  soft  date.    The 
"  Hamraya  "  of  the  Mzab  oases  is  also  described  as  a  soft  date. 
92 


84  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

color,  but  is  decidedly  inferior  to  it  in  flavor.  Ripens  in  the  latter 
part  of  October  and  the  beginning  of  November.  Is  not  much 
esteemed  by  the  natives.  Said  to  keep  well,  having  been  enumerated 
at  Kebili  among  the  seven  best  preserving  sorts.  Number  of  off- 
shoots imported,  4,  all  from  the  Jerid. 

KENTEESHY  (p.  99). — Also  spelled  Kentichi.  Is  known  in  Al- 
geria as  M'Kentichi  Degla.  Fruit  about  1J  inches  long,  slightly 
more  than  one-half  as  wide,  oblong  or  slightly  inversely  egg-shaped, 
dull  bay  when  ripe,  the  skin  remaining  yellow;  the  flesh,  1  to  2J 
lines  thick,  becoming  hard  and  dry;  the  seed  about  two-thirds  as 
long  as  the  fruit,  one-third  to  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  broad  and 
rounded  at  both  ends.  (Fig.  35.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  dull  orange.  The  palm  is  strong  and  vigorous, 
with  coarse,  heavy  foliage,  long  leaves  and  numerous  but  rather 

distant  long  and  broad  leaflets.     The 

stalks  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  curved, 


FIG.  84.-Outlines  of  Hamra  seed  and  FlG.  35.-Outlines  of  Kenteeshy 

fruit.    (Natural  size.)  seedand  fruit.   (Natural  size.) 

forming  nearly  a  semicircle,  but  do  not  hang  down  below  the  foliage. 
Fairly  common  in  the  Jerid  and  much  esteemed  by  the  natives,  who 
are  reluctant  to  part  with  offshoots,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
fruit  is  small,  thin  of  flesh,  and  becomes  hard  and  dry  almost  before  it 
has  lost  its  astringency.  It  ripens  toward  the  end  of  October  and 
beginning  of  November.  It  is  moderately  sweet  and  rather  tasteless. 
It  yields  heavily,  being  one  of  the  most  productive  varieties  found  in 
Tunis,  and  is  said  to  give  a  good  crop  every  year.  It  is  reputed  to  be 
very  alkali  resistant,  but  to  require  plenty  of  water.  Kenteeshy  is 
said  to  thrive  in  poor  soils  where  other  varieties  will  not  grow  and  to 
be  often  planted  as  a  wind-break.  Number  of  offshoots  imported, 
11,  all  from  the  Jerid. 


SOFT   DATES. 


TANTABOOSHT  (p.  99).— French  orthography,  Tantaboucht.  Fruit 
nearly  spherical,  usually  somewhat  wider  than  long,  1  to  H  inches  in 
greatest  diameter,  usually  widest  above  the  middle,  slightly  depressed 

92 


VARIETIES    OF    MINOR   IMPORTANCE. 


85 


at  apex,  not  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved,  very  dark  brown 

purple  (almost  black)  when  ripe;  the  flesh  3  to  5  lines  thick,  very  soft 

and  dark  colored ;  the  large  seed  two-thirds  to  four-fifths  as  long  as 

the  fruit,  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide  as 

long,    smooth.     (Fig.    36.)     The   stalks    and 

branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  deep  orange 

colored. 

Rare  in  the  Jerid,  common  in  Algeria.     A 

date  remarkable  for  its  round  shape  and  very 

soft,  almost  black  flesh.     Flavor  peculiar  and 

characteristic,   even  perfectly   ripe   fruit  re- 
taining   a    certain    amount    of    astringency. 

Number    of    offshoots    imported    (from    the 

Jerid),  5. 

TOZER  ZAID  SAFRA  «  (p.  100)  .—Fruit  1£  to  1§ 

inches  long,  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide  as 

long,  oblong  or  oblong  egg-shaped,  widest  near 

the  middle,  broad,  and  rounded  at  apex, 
not  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved ; 
the  flesh  1J  lines  thick,  extremely  soft  and 
sirupy,  nearly  black;  the  relatively  large 
seed  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
two-fifths  to  one-half  as  wide  as  long, 
light  brown.  (Fig.  37.)  The  leaves  are 
long  and  very  numerous,  with  short  stalks, 
almost  concealing  the  fruit  clusters. 

Common  in  the  Jerid.  Flavor  charac- 
teristic, resembling  that  of  Baydh  Ham- 
mam  (p.  76),  not  attractive  to  the  writer, 


FIG.  36.— Outlines  of  Tanta- 
boosht  seed  and  fruit. 
(Natural  size.) 


FIG.  37.— Outlines  of  Tozer  Zaid 
Saf ra  seed  and  fruit.  (Natural 
size.) 


but  much  appreciated  by  the  natives. 
Generally  eaten  fresh,  but  sometimes 
preserved  for  a  short  time  in  skins. 
Yields  heavily.  Fruit  ripens  in  the 
latter  part  of  October.  Said  at  Nefta 
to  be  one  of  the  four  most  salt-resistant 
varieties.  Number  of  offshoots  im- 
ported, 9. 

TOZER  ZAID  KHALA  6  (p.  100).— Fruit 
1|  to  If  inches  long,  three-fifths  to 
two-thirds  as  wide,  inversely  egg- 
shaped  or  oblong,  broad  and  rounded 
at  apex,  not  keeping  its  shape  well 


FIG.  38.— Outlines  of  Tozer  Zaid  Khalr, 
seed  and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


o  The  very  similar  name  "  Taser  Seit "  is  applied  to  a  variety  occurring  in  the 
Mzab  oasis.  • 

6  Said  to  be  known  as  Abdul  Aziz   (or  Abd-el-Azaz)   in  the  Oued  Souf.     A 
variety  of  the  latter  name  occurs  in  the  Oued  Rirh. 
92 


86 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


FIG.  39.— Outlines  of  Sayba  Boo  Dra  seed  and  fruit. 
(Natural  size.) 


when  preserved ;  black  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  about  2  lines  thick,  very 
soft  and  sirupy,  nearly  black ;  the  seed  about  two-fifths  as  long  as  the 
fruit,  about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  dark  brown.  (Fig.  38.) 

Less  common  than  the  Tozer  Zaid  Safra  variety,  which  it  very 
closely  resembles  in  appearance  and  flavor.  Number  of  offshoots 
imported,  7. 

SAYBA  Boo  DRA  (p.  102). — Fruit  from  2  to  more  than  2^  inches 
long,  less  than  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  somewhat  pointed  at  the 
apex,  usually  curved,  prune  purple  when  ripe,  the  surface  rather  dull ; 

the  flesh  3  to  3J  lines  thick, 
rather  firm ;  the  slender  seed 
about  one-half  as  long  as 
the  fruit  and  not  more  than 
one-third  as  wide  as  long. 
(Fig.  39.)  The  stalks  and 
branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters are  bright  orange  col- 
ored. 

In  Tunis  apparently  con- 
fined to  the  Jerid  oases, 
where  it  is  rare.  Occurs 
also  in  the  Oued  Rirh  in 

Algeria.  The  name  signifies  that,  turned  over  endwise  seven  times, 
the  fruit  measures  a  cubit  (20  inches),  and  is  expressive  of  the  great 
length  of  this  huge  date,  the  largest  of  the  Tunisian  varieties.  Flesh 
thick,  rather  tough.  Flavor  agreeable,  suggesting  Boo  Fagoos  (see 
p.  67).  It  ripens  about  the  end  of 
October.  Number  of  offshoots  im- 
ported, 10. 

KHAROOBY  (p.  102;. — French  or- 
thography, Kharroubi.  Fruit  about 
2  inches  long,  less  than  two-fifths  as 
wide,  often  wider  near  the  apex  than 
elsewhere,  usually  curved,  between 
bay  and  maroon  colored  when  ripe, 
the  surface  shiny ;  the  skin  conspic- 
uously loosened  and  remaining  light 
yellow ;  the  flesh  1  to  2  lines  thick,  rather  soft  and  dark  colored ;  the 
seed  nearly  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-third  as  wide  as  long, 
generally  somewhat  curved.  (Fig.  40.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of 
the  fruit  clusters  are  orange  colored.  The  leaves  are  very  long, 
crowded  with  long,  broad  leaflets. 

Frequent,  but  not  abundant,  in  the  Jerid.  Flesh  of  the  ripe  fruit 
of  the  consistency  of  thick  jelly,  moderately  sweet,  agreeable  in 
flavor,  resembling  Lagoo  (seep.  80).  Said  to  preserve  well.  Ripens 

92 


FIG.  40.— Outlines  of  Kharooby  seed  and 
fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


VAKIETIES    OF    MINOK    IMPORTANCE. 


87 


FIG.  41.— Outlines  of  Gasby  seed  and  fruit. 
(Natural  size.) 


in  October.     The  offshoots  remain  small  while  attached  to  the  parent 
tree.     Number  of  offshoots  imported,  2. 

GASBY  (p.  102) . — Fruit  about  2  inches  long,  about  two-fifths  as  wide, 
oblong,  often  conspicuously  curved,  very  dark  prune  purple  with  a 
conspicuous  bloom  when  ripe,  the  surface  dull,  the  skin  tough,  russet 
brown  where  loosened  from  the  flesh;  the  flesh  1  line  thick,  dark 
colored,  remaining  soft;  the  slen- 
der seed  not  more  than  three-fifths 
as  long  as  the  fruit,  not  more  than 
one-third  as  wide  as  long,  russet 
brown,  often  curved.  (Fig.  41.) 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit 
clusters  are  deep  orange  colored. 
The  crown  of  foliage  is  rather 
small  and  delicate,  the  leaves  short, 
relatively  long  stalked,  the  leaflets 
long.  The  offshgots  remain  small  while  attached  to  the  parent  tree. 
Common  in  the  Jerid.  Ripens  very  early,  next  after  Ammary  (see 
below),  it  is  said;  at  the  end  of  July,  according  to  Masselot.  A 
handsome,  long,  slender,  dark-colored,  generally  curved  date. 
Highly  esteemed  by  some  of  the  natives,  while  others  say  it  is  used 
mostly  for  making  puddings  and  confectionery.  The  writer  found 
its  flavor,  which  is  of  the  Lagoo  type  (see  p.  80),  rather  attractive, 
suggesting  that  of  raisins.  It  is  said  to  keep  very  well.  Number  of 
offshoots  imported,  19. 

BENT  SEGNY  (p.  103). — Fruit  If  to  1£  inches  long,  about  one-half 
as  wide,  inversely  egg-shaped,  square  at  base,  rounded  at  the  apex, 

keeping  its  shape  poorly  when  pre- 
served, very  dark  (almost  black)  pur- 
plish brown  when  ripe;  the  flesh  1J 
lines  thick,  very  dark  colored  and  very 
soft;  the  seed  about  one-half  as  long  as 
the  fruit,  two-fifths  to  one-half  as  wide 
as  long,  rounded  at  both  ends.  (Fig. 
42.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  are  deep  orange  colored. 

Rather   rare   in   the   Jerid.     A   very 
soft,  sirupy  date,  with  a  pleasant  but 
Ripens  about  the  end  of  October.     Number 


FIG.  42.— Outlines  of  Bent  Segny  seed 
and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


not  remarkable  flavor, 
of  offshoots  imported,  3. 

AMMARY  (p.  103). — Fruit  1J  to  a  little  over  1J  inches  long,  about 
one-half  as  wide,  generally  inversely  egg-shaped,  square  at  the  base, 
rounded  at  the  apex,  keeping  its  shape  fairly  well  when  preserved; 
dark  brown  purple  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  1  to  1J  lines  thick,  very  soft 

92 


88  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

and  dark  colored;  the  seed  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  blunt  at  both  ends.  (Fig.  43.) 
The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  orange  colored. 
Foliage  coarse  and  heavy,  leaves  very  numerous,  rather  short  stalked, 
with  long,  wide  leaflets. 

Common  in  the  Jerid,  the  Nefzaoua,  at  Gabes,  and  in  Algeria.  Is 
the  earliest  maturing  variety  in  Tunis,  ripening  in  the  Jerid  in 
August  (or  even  the  middle  of  July,  according  to  Masselot),  and 

from  September  1  to  September  15  at  Gabes. 
Said  to  give  a  good  crop  every  year,  and  to 
be  very  productive.  Fruit  of  rather  medi- 
ocre quality.  Number  of  offshoots  im- 
ported, 12,  all  from  the  Jerid. 

GOONDY  (p.  103). — Fruit  about  If  inches 
long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  inversely  egg- 
shaped,  oblong  (broadest  above  the  mid- 
dle), keeping  its  shape  fairly  well  when 
pw*™d,  bay  to  maroon  colored  when 
ripe;  the  flesh  about  1J  lines  thick,  dark 
colored,  remaining  rather  soft;  the  seed  more  than  one-half  as  long 
as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide  as  long.  (Fig.  44.)  The  stalks 
and  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  are  bright  orange  colored.  Foliage 
rather  coarse,  the  leaves  very  numerous,  short,  and  rather  short 
stalked,  the  leaflets  long  and  broad. 

Rather  common  in  the  Jerid,  and  said  to  occur  also  in  the  Nefzaoua 
and  at  Biskra,  in  Algeria.  Sweet  and  of  agreeable  but  not  pro- 
nounced flavor,  of  the  Lagoo  type.  (See 
p.  80.)  Ripens  in  the  Jerid  on  October 
20,  according  to  Masselot,  although  the 
writer  was  told  that  it  ripens  sometimes 
as  early  as  September  15.  The  fruit  is 
preserved  in  skin  bags  for  home  use,  but 
is  not  an  article  of  commerce.  Number 
of  offshoots  imported,  9,  all  from  the 
Jerid. 

KAROOT  (p.  104).-Fruit  lt  inches  long, 
about  one-half  as  wide,  egg-shaped,  nar- 
rowed from  near  the  base  to  the  rounded  apex,  keeping  its  shape 
fairly  well  when  preserved,  bay  colored  when  ripe ;  skin,  where  loose, 
olive-brown;  the  flesh  about  \\  lines  thick,  rather  tough;  the  seed 
more  than  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide  as 
long.  (Fig.  45.)  The  branches  and  stalks  of  the  fruit  clusters  are 
orange  colored. 

A  variety  found  in  the  Jerid,  but  not  common.  The  name  is  not 
given  in  any  published  list  of  the  varieties.  Flesh  rather  tough, 

92 


VARIETIES    OF    MINOR   IMPORTANCE. 


89 


FIG.  45.— Outlines  of  Karooy  seed 
and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


moderately  sweet,  flavor  agreeable,  similar  to  that  of  the  dry  dates. 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  5. 

TENASEEN  (p.  105). — French  orthography,  Tanessin  or  Tenassine.) 
Fruit  If  to  If  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  not  keep- 
ing its  shape  well  when  preserved,  black 
when   ripe;    the   flesh   very   soft,   nearly 
black ;  the  seed  about  three-fifths  as  long 
as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide  as 
long,  rather  dark  brown. 

Rare  in  the  Jerid,  common  in  the  Ouet! 
Souf  and  Oued  Rirh  in  Algeria.  The 
flavor  of  the  very  sweet,  soft,  dark-col- 
ored flesh  suggests  Tozer'Zaid  Safra  (see 
p.  85),  but  is  more  agreeable.  Is  said  to 
ripen  in  October.  Crown  of  foliage  hor- 
izontal, umbrella-like.  One  offshoot  imported  from  the  Jerid. 

ITEEMA  (p.  106). —  (French  orthog- 
raphy, Ytima.)  The  name  means 
"an  orphan  girl."  Fruit  slightly 
more  than  2  inches  long,  about  one- 
half  as  wide,  widest  at  or  near  the 
middle,  rounded  at  base,  somewhat 
pointed  and  conspicuously  not  sym- 
metrical at  apex,  not  keeping  its 
shape  well  when  preserved,  chestnut 
brown,  with  a  slight  purple  tinge 
when  ripe,  the  surface  shiny;  the 
flesh  over  2  lines  thick,  extremely 
soft ;  the  seed  nearly  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  two-fifths  as 
wide  as  long,  chestnut  colored.  (Fig.  46.) 
Rare  in  the  Jerid,  common  in  the  Al- 
gerian oases.  A  very  handsome  date,  with 
sirupy,  translucent  flesh,  extremely  sweet, 
rather  insipid  in  flavor.  An  early  ripen- 
ing sort,  maturing  in  the  Jerid  at  the  end 
of  September  (according  to  Masselot). 
Eaten  fresh.  Number  of  offshoots  im- 
ported, 15  (2  only  from  Tunis,  the  rest 
from  Algeria). 

KHALT    HAMEED    (p.    106). — Fruit    1§ 

inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  elliptical  in  form,  generally 
slightly  narrowed  at  both  ends,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved, 
bright  maroon  when  ripe ;  the  flesh  1 J  lines  thick,  rather  firm,  not  very 
sugary;  the  seed  smooth,  more  than  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  widest  above  the  middle.  (Fig.  47.) 

92 


FIG.  4o. — Outlines  of  Iteema   seed 
fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


and 


FIG.  47.— Outlines  of  Khalt  Hameed 
seed  and  fruit.    (Natural  size. ) 


90  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

Occurs  in  the  Jerid,  but  is  not  common.  Said  to  be  much  liked  by 
the  natives  when  not  perfectly  ripe,  but  to  the  writer  the  flavor 
seemed  inferior.  Ripens  at  the  end  of  October.  Does  not  keep. 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  6. 

VARIETIES  IMPORTED  BUT  NOT  INCLUDED  IN  THE  KEY. 

DEGLET  BARCA. — Occurs  in  the  Jerid,  but  is  not  common.  Fruit 
not  seen  by  the  writer,  but  said  to  be  round,  of  the  same  color  as 
Tozer  Zaid  Safra  (p.  85)  (very  dark  brown,  almost  black),  but 
different  in  flavor.  It  is  described  as  a  R'tob  (soft  date)  that  pre- 
serves very  well.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  7. 

DEGLET  CAID. — Bare  in  the  Jerid,  and  said  to  occur  also  in  the  Oued 
Rirh.  Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer,  but  said  to  be  coral  red  before 
maturity  and  black  when  ripe,  and  to  be  conservable  only  for  a  short 
time.  Reported  to  be  a  fine  variety,  and  to  ripen  early  in  September. 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  2. 

DEGLET  SENNA YGA. — Occurs  in  the  Jerid;  not  common.  A  soft 
date.  Fruit  about  1J  inches  long,  nearly  one-half  as  wide,  oblong, 
somewhat  pointed  at  the  apex,  bright  chestnut  brown  when  ripe,  sur- 
face shiny;  skin  much  loosened  and  folded;  flesh  soft,  dark  colored; 
seed  large,  dark  brown.  Said  to  ripen  early  in  October.  Very  sweet, 
flavor  distinctive  (suggesting  burnt  sugar)  and  rather  agreeable,  but 
not  very  pronounced.  It  is  said  to  keep  well.  The  offshoots  remain 
small  as  long  as  they  are  attached  to  the  parent  tree.  Number  of 
offshoots  imported,  9. 

GASB  HALOO. —  (Name  spelled  phonetically,  as  pronounced  by  the 
natives.)  Occurs  at  Nefta.  Is  probably  the  same  as  the  "  Gsub  (or 
Ksob)  Halou  "  found  in  the  Ziban  and  Oued  Rirh  oases  of  Algeria. 
Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer.  Said  to  resemble  Kenteeshy  (p.  84) 
in  color;  described  as  sweeter  and  better  flavored  than  Gasby  (p.  87). 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  3. 

GUERN-EL-RHEZAL. —  (Gazelle's  Horn.)  One  of  the  principal  vari- 
eties in  the  Gabes  region  and  on  the  island  of  Jerba,  occurring  also 
;\t  Biskra  and  in  the  Oued  Rirh,  Algeria,  but  rare  in  the  Jerid. 
Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer.  It  is  described  by  M.  Minangoin  as 
long,  slender,  and  curved.  The  amins  at  Gabes  say  it  is  not  a  very 
good  date,  the  stone  being  large  and  the  flesh  thin.  "  It  has  more 
bones  than  flesh,"  as  they  express  it.  This  is  said,  however,  to  be 
one  of  the  three  varieties  chiefly  preserved  at  Mettoui,  near  Gabes, 
requiring  first  to  be  dried.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  4. 

KHADRAYA. — Name  signifies  "  green."  Occurs  in  the  Jerid,  but 
apparently  is  not  common.  A  variety  of  the  same  name,  but  perhaps 
not  identical,  is  found  in  Algeria.  Belongs  to  the  dry  date  class. 

92 


VARIETIES  IMPORTED  BUT  NOT  INCLUDED  IN  THE  KEY.  91 

Fruit  about  1^  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide ;  oblong,  narrowed 
at  the  apex,  bright  orange  before  maturity,  dull  light  brown  when 
ripe ;  seed  large,  light  brown ;  branches  of  fruit  clusters  bright  orange. 
Very  sweet  and  with  a  pleasant  flavor,  suggesting  Halooa  Bayda 
(see  p.  75).  Ripens  in  October.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  5. 
KHALT  Boo  FAGOOS. — A  rare  variety  of  the  Jerid.  Fruit  of  the 
soft  type,  very  similar  to  that  of  Boo  Fagoos  (see  p.  67),  about  If 
inches  long,  1  inch  wide,  generally-  more  or  less  obovate,  maroon 
colored  when  ripe,  skin  much  blistered;  flesh  very  firm;  seed  large; 
branches  of  fruit  clusters  light  orange.  Moderately  sweet,  with  a 
fine  flavor  of  the  Horra  type  (see  p.  71).  Number  of  offshoots  im- 
ported, 4. 

KHALT  GAMA. — Occurs  at  Nefta.  Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer. 
"  Gama  "  means  wheat,  and  the  name  is  said  to  refer  to  the  color  of 
the  fruit.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  2. 

KHALT  KEBEER. — A  variety  of  the  Jerid,  apparently  not  common. 
A  fine,  large,  reddish  brown,  soft  date,  with  small  seed,  preserving 
admirably.  Flavor  excellent,  considered  by  the  natives  to  resemble 
that  of  Boo  Fagoos  (see  p.  67).  Is  a  promising  variety.  Number 
of  offshoots  imported,  11. 

KHALT  KENTAOWIA. — Occurs  in  the  Jerid;  apparently  not  uncom- 
mon at  Tozer.  Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer.  The  foliage  is  well 
developed  and  handsome,  the  leaves  very  numerous,  crowded  with 
long  leaflets.  The  name  implies  a  resemblance  to  the  Kenta  variety 
(p.  72).  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  4. 

OKHT  AMMARY. — A  variety  of  the  Jerid,  probably  not  common. 
Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer.  Said  to  resemble  Ammary  (see  p.  87), 
but  to  be  larger.  Reported  to  ripen  at  the  end  of  September,  and  not 
to  keep  well.  One  offshoot  was  imported. 

SBA  AROOSSA. — Name  means  "bride's  fingers."  Occurs  in  the  Jerid, 
and  also  reported  to  occur  in  the  Ziban  oases,  in  Algeria.  Is  said  to 
be  rare  and  of  fairly  good  quality.  Fruit  not  seen  by  the  writer. 
Reported  to  be  a  long,  slender  date,  ripening  in  October  and  not  keep- 
ing well.  Number  of  offshoots  imported,  6. 

To  WAD  ANT. — Occurs  at  Nefta,  and  is  probably  rare.  Fruit  not 
seen  by  the  writer;  said  to  be  very  large  and  long,  yellow,  and  of 
good  flavor,  ripening  at  the  same  time  as  Fteemy,  and  keeping  well. 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  4. 

ZRAI. — Name  spelled  phonetically  as  pronounced  by  the  natives,  not 
having  been  found  in  any  published  list.  Occurs  at  Nefta.  Fruit 
not  seen  by  the  writer;  said  to  resemble  Deglet  Noor  (p.  63)  in  color. 
Number  of  offshoots  imported,  7. 

92 


92 


DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 


FIG.  48.— Outlines  of   Chedakh  seed 
and  fruit.    (Natural  size.) 


VARIETIES    INCLUDED    IN    THE    KEY   BUT    NOT   IMPORTED. 

CHEDAKH  (p.  106). — Is  of  the  soft  type.  Fruit  nearly  2  inches 
long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  oblong,  narro\ved  slightly  at  both  ends, 
keeping  its  shape  fairly  well  when  preserved,  purplish  maroon  when 

ripe;  the  flesh  only  1  line  thick,  all  of 
it  soft  and  dark  colored ;  the  seed  about 
three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit  and 
about  one-third  as  wide  as  long.  (Fig. 
48.)  The  leaves  are  rather  short,  and 
the  fruit  clusters  loose  and  open,  with 
rather  short,  erect  or  ascending  stalks. 
Common  in  the  Jerid,  and  said  also 
to  occur  in  the  Nefzaoua.  Is  a  "  R'tob," 
the  fruit  being  eaten  fresh  and  not  pre- 
served. It  is  not  highly  esteemed  by  the  natives,  and  the  flavor  is 
uninteresting.  Ripens  toward  the  end  of  October. 

DEGLET  HAMIDATOO  (p.105). — Fruit 
of  the  soft  type,  about  2  inches  long, 
about  one-half  as  wide,  somewhat 
blunt  pointed  at  the  apex,  elliptical, 
not  keeping  its  shape  well  when  pre- 
served, light  hazel  brown  when  ripe; 
the  flesh  2J  lines  thick,  very  soft  and 
sirupy,  translucent;  the  seed  about 
one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about 
one-third  as  wide  as  long,  russet  to 
chestnut  colored.  (Fig.  49.)  The 
foliage  is  very  well  developed,  the 
leaves  numerous  and  long,  crowded  with  long  leaflets,  the  bunches  of 
fruit  rather  loose  and  open,  with  ascending  or  spreading  stalks. 

A  very  rare  variety  of  the  Jerid, 
said  to  be  represented  at  Tozer  by  only 
two  trees.  Reported  to  occur  also  in 
the  oasis  of  Negrine,  Algeria.  It  is 
said  to  be  eaten  only  when  fresh  and 
not  to  be  conservable.  The  fruit  is  of 
splendid  appearance,  beautifully  col- 
ored, and  extremely  soft  and  sirupy 
when  ripe.  Although  very  sweet  and 
rich,  the  flavor  is  rather  insipid  and 
soon  cloys,  like  the  Iteema  (p.  89).  Ripens  in  the  latter  part  of 
October. 

DEGLET  HASSEN  (p.  103). — Fruit  of  the  soft  type,  If  to  If  inches 
long,  one-half  as  wide,  inversely  egg-shaped,  tapering  slightly  at  both 
extremities,  not  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved,  bright  bay 

92 


FIG.  49.— Outlines  of  Degiet  Hamidatoo 
seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size.) 


.-outiinesof  Degiet  Hassen  seed 
and  fruit.   (Natural  size.) 


VARIETIES  INCLUDED  IN  THE  KEY  BUT  NOT  IMPORTED. 


93 


FIG.  51.— Outlines  of  Khalt  Menakhry 
seed  and  fruit.     (Natural  size.) 


colored  when  ripe;  the  skin,  where  loose,  yellow;  the  flesh  about  1J 
lines  thick,  extremely  soft,  light  colored,  translucent ;  the  slender  seed 
about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  not  more  than  one-third  as 
wide  as  long.     (Fig.  50.)     The  trunk 
is  slender,  the  leaves  numerous,  short, 
and  comparatively  long-stalked. 

Said  to  be  widely  distributed  in  the 
Jerid,  although  the  writer  failed  to  se- 
cure offshoots.  The  offshoots  are  said 
to  be  worth  75  cents  to  $1.15  apiece,  a 
price  that  would  indicate  this  to  be  a 
highly  esteemed  variety.  The  fruit, 
said  to  be  eaten  only  when  fresh,  is  ex- 
tremely soft  and  very  sweet  and  rich, 
but  soon  cloys.  Ripens  in  October.  . 

KHALT  MENAKHRY  (p.  105). — The  name  signifies  a  "Khalt  re- 
sembling Menakher."  a  Fruit  of  the  soft  type,  from  nearly  to  more 
than  2  inches  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  egg-shaped,  narrowed 

from  about  the  middle  to 
the  broad,  rounded  apex, 
keeping  its  shape  well 
when  preserved,  dark  pur- 
plish maroon  when  ripe; 
the  flesh  2  to  3  lines  thick, 
firm,  yet  very  sugary ;  the 
seed  about  one-half  as 
long  as  the  fruit,  about 
two-fifths  as  wide  as  long, 
blunt  at  both  ends.  (Fig. 
51.)  The  stalks  and 
branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters are  light  orange  col- 
ored. 

Occurs  at  Nefta,  in  the 
Jerid,  but  is  evidently 
very  rare.  The  fine  fruit 
very  closely  resembles 
Khalt  Horraowia  (p.  82) 
in  appearance  and  flavor. 
Ripens  in  the  latter  part 
of  October. 

SELATNY  (p.  104). — Fruit  of  the  soft  type,  over  2  inches  long,  about 
one-half  as  wide,  tapering  from  near  the  base  to  the  somewhat  pointed 
apex,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved,  bright  bay  colored  when 


FIG.  52.— Selatny  seed  and  fruits.     (Natural  size.) 


92 


See  footnote,  p.  81. 


94  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

ripe,  the  surface  shining;  the  flesh  1J  lines  thick,  rather  soft,  trans- 
lucent; the  seed  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  two-fifths 
as  wide  as  long,  blunt  at  both  ends,  roughened  with  deep  furrows 
near  the  base.  (Fig.  52.)  The  stalks  and  branches  of  the  fruit 
clusters  are  orange  colored. 

A  rare  variety  of  the  Jerid;  said  also  to  occur  in  the  Nefzaoua, 
and  to  be  less  rare  there,  although  the  writer  saw  no  trees  in  the  latter 
region.  It  is  very  highly  esteemed  by  the  natives  and,  although  a 
special  effort  was  made  to  obtain  offshoots  of  this  variety  in  the 
Jerid,  none  could  be  had.  It  is  possible  that  an  exhaustive  search  in 
the  Nefzaoua  region  might  result  in  obtaining  offshoots.  The  fruit 
is  of  fine  appearance  and  is  said  to  be  generally  eaten  fresh,  although 
it  can  be  preserved.  The  flavor  somewhat  resembles  that  of  the 
Deglet  Noor  and  is  hardly  inferior,  while  in  size  this  variety  com- 
pares favorably  with  the  Menakher.  It  ripens  in  October  (or  even 
in  September,  according  to  Masselot).  The  palm  has  a  stout  trunk. 
The  leaves  are  rather  short  and  broad,  with  few  spines.  The  stalks 
of  the  short  fruit  clusters  are  nearly  horizontal  and  so  short  that 
together  with  the  clusters  they  are  hardly  as  long  as  the  leafstalks. 
For  the  rarity  of  this  variety  the  same  explanation  was  given  the 
writer  as  for  that  of  Menakher  (see  p.  62). 

DESCRIPTIVE  KEY  TO  THE  CHARACTERS  OF  THE  FRUITS. 

The  characters  given  in  the  key  of  date  varieties  which  follows 
were  either  noted  on  the  spot  from  freshly  gathered  fruit  or  were 
subsequently  worked  out  from  samples  and  from  natural-size  photo- 
graphs made  in  the  field.  In  a  few  instances  samples  of  fruit  obtained 
in  the  autumn  of  1905  at  the  cooperative  date  garden  at  Tempe,  Ariz., 
from  palms  imported  several  years  ago  from  Algeria,  have  also  been 
used  in  making  up  the  descriptions,  such  cases  being  always  specific- 
ally mentioned.  Owing  to  the  scantiness  of  the  material  available 
in  many  cases,  it  is  probable  that  the  descriptions  will  have  to  be 
modified  as  we  gain  a  better  knowledge  of  the  varieties. 

In  regard  to  measurements,  width  refers  in  every  case  to  the  great- 
est width  of  the  fruit  and  the  seed,  thickness  of  flesh  to  the  maximum 
thickness,  and  length  of  the  stone  is  taken  to  exclude  the  apical  point, 
or  mucro,  and  the  fibrous  stipe.  Color  of  the  fruit,  unless  otherwise 
specified,  refers  to  the  parts  where  the  skin  adheres  closely  to  the  flesh. 
Where  the  skin  has  become  loose  in  places,  as  in  most  of  the  soft 
dates  when  quite  ripe,  it  has  a  lighter  color,  which  is  also  generally 
described.  The  "  germ  pore  "  is  a  circular  depression,  1  to  2  mm. 
in  diameter,  occurring  on  the  back  of  the  seed.  When  its  position  is 
not  mentioned  in  the  description  it  is  understood  that  it  occurs  at  or 
near  the  middle  of  the  seed.  The  embryo  is  situated  at  this  point 
and  the  shoot  appears  here  at  germination. 

92 


DESCRIPTIVE    KEY    TO    THE    CHARACTERS    OF    FRUITS.  95 

Much  use  has  been  made  of  the  characters  afforded  by  the  colors 
of  the  fruit,  'seed,  etc.,  the  names  of  colors  used  being  those  given  by 
Kidgway  (Nomenclature  of  Colors  for  Naturalists,  Boston,  1886). 
In  order  to  facilitate  comparison,  each  name  of  a  color  that  occurs  in 
the  key  is  followed  by  a  reference  to  the  corresponding  plate  and 
figure  in  the  work  cited,  thus:  Maroon  (IV,  2).  The  giant  cells,  to 
which  the  writer's  attention  was  first  called  by  Mr.  W.  T.  Swingle, 
occur  in  a  more  or  less  sharply  defined  zone  in  the  softer  part  of  the 
flesh,  close  to  the  skin.  It  is  really  the  hard,  bright-colored,  highly 
refractive  masses  of  cell  contents  (probably  consisting  chiefly  of  tan- 
nins) that  are  here  described.  Their  characters  are  taken  only  from 
thoroughly  ripe  fruit  in  which  the  cell  contents  have  assumed  their 
final  shape,  size,  and  color. 

A  Avord  is  necessary  in  regard  to  the  form  of  the  key.  The  varie- 
ties are  divided,  in  the  "  Synopsis  of  the  groups,"  first  into  two  prin- 
cipal classes,  the  dry  dates  and  the  soft  dates.  Each  group  is  then 
subdivided  into  a  number  of  smaller  groups.  The  designations 
selected  for  the  two  main  groups  should  not  be  understood  as  imply- 
ing that  all  the  dry  dates  are  necessarily  hard  and  thin  of  flesh  or  that 
all  the  soft  dates  are  rich  and  sirupy.  While  the  extremes  of  the  two 
types  are  very  distinct,  intermediate  forms  occur,  which  make  it 
impossible  to  draw  a  hard  and  fast  line  between  them.  Exceptions 
occur  in  both  categories,  and  some  of  the  varieties  of  which  the  affini- 
ties are  evidently  with  the  first  group  have  thicker  and  softer  flesh 
than  some  of  the  varieties  of  the  second  group.  In  deciding  to  which 
of  the  two  classes  a  given  variety  belongs,  all  of  its  characters  must 
be  taken  into  consideration.  It  should  be  explained  that  the  classifi- 
cation, at  least  beyond  the  two  main  groups,  is  largely  artificial,  and 
is  designed  merely  to  aid  in  identifying  the  varieties.  While  in  many 
cases  it  happens  that  several  varieties  that  are  undoubtedly  closely 
related  botanically  are  brought  into  juxtaposition  in  the  key,  this  is 
by  no  means  always  the  case. 

The  key  to  the  varieties  is  not  of  the  dichotomous  form  usually 
employed  by  systematic  biologists,  but  is  modeled  upon  that  which 
Avas  introduced  by  Mr.  O.  F.  Cook  in  his  studies  of  Myriapoda.a  It 
has  the  advantage  of  eliminating  one  species  (or  variety)  at  every 
step.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  whole  key  is  arranged  in  pairs  of 
paragraphs.  Of  each  pair,  the  first  paragraph  describes  a  variety, 
and  the  second  gives  the  characters  which  distinguish  all  of  the  same 
group  Avhich  follow  from  the  one  that  has  just  been  separated  out. 
Those  characters  in  the  first  paragraph  that  are  especially  to  be  con- 

« In  a  paper  published  in  the  Annals  of  the  New  York  Academy  of  Science, 
9.  p.  8  (1895),  a  key  of  this  style  was  first  used  by  Mr.  Cook.     See  also  Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  18,  p.  82  (1895). 
92 


06  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

trusted  with  the  second  paragraph  are  printed  in  italics,  as  is  the 
second  paragraph  itself.  The  italicized  portion,  therefore,  consti- 
tutes the  key  proper.  Frequently  an  alternative  set  of  characters, 
introduced  by  the  words  "  or  if,"  will  be  found  in  the  second  para- 
graph of  the  pair  (as  on  p.  101).  These  alternative  characters  gener- 
ally refer  to  the  variety  described  in  the  first  paragraph  that  imme- 
diately follows. 

It  is  believed  that  by  including  in  the  key  the  complete  description 
of  each  variety,  the  identification  can  be  made  with  more  confidence 
than  if  only  the  characters  necessary  for  "  keying  out "  the  varieties 
were  given.  While  the  construction  of  a  key  of  this  type  presents 
difficulties  that  are  not  encountered  in  making  the  ordinary  dichoto- 
mous  key,  it  is  believed  that  the  user,  after  a  little  practice,  will  find  it 
more  serviceable.  He  will  have  the  satisfaction,  as  it  were,  of  touch- 
ing ground  at  each  step  he  takes. 

After  the  name  of  each  variety,  at  the  end  of  the  paragraph  describ- 
ing it,  is  given  a  reference  to  the  page  of  the  text  on  which  will  be 
found  outlines  of  the  seed  and  fruit. 

1.  SYNOPSIS  OF  THE  GROUPS. 

*  Flesh  becoming  quite  dry  and  often  hard,  the  white  central  portion  thicker 

than  the  darker  colored,  softer  outer  portion  (often  twice  as 
thick)  ;«  the  fibrous  lining  of  the  central  cavity  clean  and 
dry,  bright  white;  giant  cells  in  a  more  or  less  sharply 
defined  zone  lying  between  the  white  and  the  dark  flesh, 
very  small,  generally  not  much  longer  than  wide. 

Dry  dates. 

**  Skin  becoming  loose  over  much  of  the  surface  of  the  fruit,  forming 
large,  smooth,  soft,  mostly  longitudinal  blisters. 

Smooth-skinned  dry  dates,  p.  97. 

**  Skin  closely  adhering  to  most  of  the  surface  of  the  fruit,  forming  a 
network  of  narrow,  hard,  transverse  as  well  as  longitudinal 
wrinkles,  with  few  or  no  large,  soft  blisters. 

Wrinkled  dry  dates,  pp.  07  to  00. 

*  Flesh  not  becoming  dry  and  hard,  the  white  central  portion  thinner  than  the 

dark  colored,  softer  outer  portion ;  the  fibrous  lining  of  the 
central  cavity  usually  more  or  less  soaked  and  darkened 
with  sirupy  juice;  zone  of  giant  cells  not  usually  sharply  de- 
fined (or  at  least  not  easily  distinguishable  in  color)  from 
the  zone  outside  it,  the  cells  usually  variable  in  size  and 
shape;  skin  becoming  loosened  over  much  of  the  surface 
of  the  fruit  when  ripe,&  forming  large,  soft,  generally  longi- 
tudinal blisters,  but  otherwise  smooth;  or,  if  forming  also 
a  network  of  narrow  transverse  wrinkles,  these  few  and 

soft ' Soft    dates. 

**  Fruit  spherical  or  nearly  so,  at  least  three-fourths  as  wide  as  long. 

Round  soft  dates,  p.  00. 

a  Exceptions  are  the  varieties  Bayjoo  (p.  97),  Thaby  (p.  98)  and  Hamra 
(p.  98)  in  which  the  darker  colored  outer  zone  is  much  thicker  than  the  white 
inner  zone,  at  least  in  fruits  that  have  been  kept  for  some  time.  In  other 
respects  these  are  typical  dry  dates,  having  the  clean,  bright  white  lining  of 
the  central  cavity  and  the  skin  covered  with  a  network  of  hard,  narrow 
wrinkles. 

&The  Khalt  Mooashem  variety  (see  p.  104)  is  an  exception  in  having  the  skin 
closely  adhering. 

02 


KEY    TO    THE    VARIETIES.  97 

**  Fruit  not  spherical  or  nearly  so. 

***  -Fruit  at  least  3  mm.  shorter  than  twice  the  width. 

Broad  soft  dates. 

****  Flesh  dark  colored,  very  soft  and  sirupy,  date  not  keeping 
its  shape  well  when  ripe. 

Sirupy  broad  soft  dates,  pp.  99-100. 
****  Flesh  rather  firm,   not  sirupy,  date  keeping  its  shape  well 

when  ripe Firm  broad  soft  dates,  pp.  100-101. 

***  Fruit  at  least  3  mm.  longer  than  twice  the  width. 

Narrow  soft  dates,  pp.  101-102. 

***  Fruit  about  twice  as  long  as  wide Intermediate  soft  dates. 

****  Decidedly  wider  near  the  apex  than  at  base. 

Obovate  intermediate  soft  dates,  p.  103. 

****  Decidedly  wider  at  the  base  than  near  the  apex,  tapering 
from  near  or  below  the  middle  to  the  apex. 

Ovate  intermediate  soft  dates,  pp.  103  to  105. 

****  As  wide  or  nearly  as  wide  at  the  apex  as  at  the  base,  either 
widest  at  or  near  the  middle  or  else  of  about  the  same 
width  throughout. 

Oblong  intermediate  soft  dates,  pp.  105-106. 

2.  KEY  TO  THE  VARIETIES. 

DRY  DATES. 
SMOOTH-SKINNED  DRY  DATES. 

Fruit  only  25  mm.  long  (smallest  of  the  Tunisian  varieties),  about  17.5  mm.  wide, 
ovate  or  obovate,  bright  bay  (IV,  5)  when  ripe,  the  skin  ochraceous  (V, 
7)  to  cinnamon  rufous  (IV,  16)  ;  flesh  2.5  mm.  thick,  becoming  hard  and 
dry,  more  than  one-half  of  it  consisting  of  the  white  central  portion; 
seed  18  mm.  long,  about  9  mm.  wide,  smooth,  drab  brown  (III,  18),  the 
ventral  channel  narrow,  open,  the  germ  pore  generally  considerably 
above  the  middle;  giant  cells  in  a  sharply  defined  zone  forming  about 
one-half  the  thickness  of  the  dark  outer  part  of  the  flesh,  very  small, 
nearly  all  rounded,  rarely  more  than  1£  times  as  long  as  wide,  mostly 
spherical  but  some  elliptical  and  pear-shaped,  orange  colored;  branches 
of  the  fruit  clusters  bright  (lemon)  yellow Angoo  (p.  74). 

Fruit  35  to  40  mm.  long,  about  one-half  as  wide,  often  slightly  wider  just  above 
the  middle  than  elsewhere,  then  narrowed  to  the  truncate  or  blunt- 
pointed  apex,  dull  bay  (IV,  5)  colored  when  ripe,  the  skin  rufous  (IV,  7) 
to  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored;  flesh  3  to  4  mm.  thick,  not  becoming  very  dry; 
seed  21  to  25  mm.  long,  one-third  to  two-fifths  as  wide,  rounded  at  both 
ends,  Isabella  brown  (III,  23)  in  color,  the  ventral  channel  narrow,  open, 
the  germ  pore  above  the  middle;  giant  cells  very  uniform  in  size  and 
shape,  spherical  or  nearly  so,  rufous  (IV,  7)  colored;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  light  orange Kenta  (p.  73). 

WRINKLED  DRY  DATES. 

Fruit  about  32.5  mm.  long,  three-fifths  to  two-thirds  as  wide,  ovate  in  outline, 
dull  orange  yellow  before  maturity,  purplish  maroon  (IV,  2)  or  bay 
(IV,  5)  colored  when  ripe;  flesh  3  mm.  thick,  the  white  central  portion 
much  thicker  than  the  dark  outer  zone ;  «  seed  averaging  20  mm.  long 
and  10  mm.  wide,  Isabella  brown  (III,  23),  the  ventral  channel  wide,  open, 
the  germ  pore  near  the  apex  of  the  seed,  conspicuous;  giant  cells  very 
small,  all  rounded,  nearly  all  spherical,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  in  color; 
branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  pale  orange Bayjoo  (p.  83). 

Fruit  only  about  twice  as  long  as  wide. 

a  Although  in  fruits  cut  open  several  weeks  after  gathering  the  converse  ap- 
pears to  be  true,  owing  to  the  suffusion  of  the  white  zone  with  sirup  from  the 
dark  portion. 

30618— No.  92—06 7 


98  DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

Fruit  mostly  distinctly  constricted  a  little  above  the  base,  35  to  40  mm.  long, 
oblong  in  outline,  somewhat  narrowed  at  the  apex,  dark  maroon  (IV,  2) 
when  ripe;  flesh  2  to  2.5  mm.  thick,  rather  tough,  the  white  core  much 
thicker  than  the  dark-colored  outer  flesh;  seed  averaging  22  mm.  long,  a 
little  less  than  one-half  as  wide,  widest  near  the  apex,  the  ventral  chan- 
nel open,  the  germ  pore  below  the  middle;  giant  cells  in  a  very  sharply 
defined  narrow  zone,  very  small,  rounded,  mostly  spherical  or  short 
elliptical,  some  pear-shaped,  at  least  two-thirds  as  wide  as  long,  cadmium 
orange  (VI,  2)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  bright  orange. 

Remta  (p.  S3). 

Fruit  not  constricted,  or.  if  constricted,  then  the  dark  outer  zone  of  flesh  thicker 
than  the  white  inner  portion  and  about  one-half  of  the  giant  cells  angular. 

Fruit  sometimes  indistinctly  constricted  a  little  above  the  base,  40  to  42.5  mm. 
long,  oblong,  somewhat  narrowed  at  the  apex,  bright  madder  brown  (IV, 
3)  to  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  when  ripe;  flesh  2.5  to  3  mm.  thick,  rather 
tough,  the  dark-colored  outer  portion  appearing  to  be  much  thicker  than 
the  (thin)  white  core ;  «  seed  averaging  24.5  mm.  long  and  about  9  mm. 
wide,  the  ventral  channel  wide,  open,  the  germ  pore  above  the  middle, 
giant  cell  zone  indistinct,  the  cells  very  small,  about  one-half  angular  and 
one-half  rounded,  generally  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide  as  long,  ellip- 
tical or  rectangular  in  outline,  saffron  (VI,  4)  in  color;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  rich  orange Thaby  (p.  75). 

Fruit  not  constricted,  of  some  darker  or  duller  color  (bay  (IV,  5)  to  purplish 
maroon  (IV,  2)),  giant  cells  all  rounded,  or,  if  a  considerable  number 
angular,  then  the  fruit  distinctly  ovate  in  outline  and  purplish  maroon 
in  color. 

Dark-colored  (outer)  zone  of  the  flesh  thicker  than  the  white  inner  portion; 
giant  cells  frequently  angled  but  the  majority  rounded,  as  often  elliptical 
as  spherical,  often  twice  (but  generally  1  to  1£  times)  as  long  as  vide; 
ocher  yellow  (V,  9)  to  ochraceous  rufous  (V,  5)  in  color;  fruit  ovate, 
tapering  from  or  near  the  base  to  the  rounded  apex,  35  to  47.5  mm.  long, 
rufous  (IV,  7)  or  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  before  maturity,  bright  purplish 
maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe,  the  colors  very  handsome;  flesh  2  to  6  mm. 
thick ;  seed  two-thirds  to  four-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  generally  about 
two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  often  with  strongly  developed,  wing-like  lateral 
ridges,  the  ventral  channel  generally  open,  the  germ  pore  generally  near 
the  middle  but  sometimes  almost  at  the  base ;  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters cadmium  orange  (VI,  2) flan/ra  (p.  84). & 

Dark-colored  (outer)  zone  of  the  flesh  much  thinner  than  the  white  inner  por- 
tion; giant  cells  all  rounded  and  generally  spherical,  rarely  more  than  1% 
times  as  long  as  wide. 

Fruit  ovate,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  rounded  apex,  45  to  471  mm.  long, 
rather  dull  maroon  purple  when  ripe,  with  a  pronounced  bloom ;  flesh  4  to 
5  mm.  thick,  firm  and  becoming  rather  dry;  seed  very  irregular  in  size 
but  averaging  24  mm.  long  and  9.5  mm.  wide,  the  ventral  channel  closed, 
the  germ  pore  above  the  middle,  sometimes  near  the  apex ;  giant  cells 
very  small,  ochraceous  rufous  (V,  5)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters cadmium  yellow  (VI,  6) Horra  (p.  72). 

Fruit  not  ovate,  not  tapering  to  the  apex  from  below  the  middle,  elliptical  in  out- 
line, somewhat  narrowed  at  both  ends;  flesh  not  exceeding  3.5  mm.  thick. 

Skin,  where  loose,  between  deep  chrome  (VI,  9)  and  saffron  (VI,  4)  ;  giant  cells 
ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color,  forming  a  very  sharply  defined  zone  sepa- 
rated from  the  skin  by  a  thicker  layer  of  soft,  dull-colored  flatli ;  fruit 
35  to  38  mm.  long,  sometimes  slightly  obovate,  but  generally  widest  at  or 
below  the  middle,  dull  orange  just  before  maturity,  dull  bay  (IV,  5) 


« In  this  respect  Thaby  appears  to  be  exceptional  among  the  dry  dates,  but 
owing  to  the  fact  that,  in  fruits  that  have  been  kept  for  some  time,  sirup  from 
the  dark,  soft  outer  zone  suffuses  the  white,  firm  inner  portion  of  the  flesh  (as 
noted  in  the  footnotes  on  pp.  96  and  97),  this  character  should  not  be  given  too 
much  importance. 

&  Description  supplemented  by  material  from  palms  in  the  Ternpe,  Ariz.,  date 
garden  which  were  obtained  at  Biskra,  Algeria. 

92 


KEY   TO   THE   VAEIETIES.  99 

when  ripe ;  flesh  2.5  to  5  mm.  thick,  becoming  hard  and  dry ;  seed  about 
two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-third  to  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long, 
broad  and  rounded  at  both  ends,  between  russet  (III,  16)  and  wood 
brown  (III,  19),  the  ventral  channel  open;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters 

orange  buff   (VI,  22) Kenteeshy <*   (p.  84). 

Skin,  where  loose,  russet  (III,  16)  ;  giant-cell  zone  less  sharply  defined,  with 
groups  of  these  cells  extending  through  the  outer  layer  of  flesh  nearly  to 
the  skin. 

Ripe  fruit  dull  purplish  maroon  (IV,  2),  with  considerable  bloom,  35  to  40  mm. 
long,  often  somewhat  curved ;  flesh  2.5  to  4  mm.  thick ;  seed  about  two- 
thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  generally  one-third  as  wide  as  long,  the  ventral 
channel  open;  giant  cells  wax  yellow  (VI,  7);  branches  of  the  fruit 
clusters  orange  colored Lemsy  (p.  75). 

Ripe  fruit  dull  l)ay  (IV,  5)  (dull  Indian  purple  (VIII,  6)  toward  Jbase),  with 
considerable  bloom,  32.5  to  35  mm.  long;  flesh  2  to  3  mm.  thick ;  seed  about 
seven-tenths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-third  to  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long, 
the  ventral  channel  open ;  giant  cells  tawny  (V,  1)  l)rown;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  pale  orange Halooa  Bayda*  (p.  76). 

SOFT  DATES. 
ROUND  SOFT  DATES. 

Fruit  35  to  4$  mm.  in  greatest  diameter,  mostly  longer  than  vvide,  spherical  or 
nearly  so,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  preserved,  color  before  maturity 
dull  orange  broivn,  between  maroon  (IV,  2)  and  prune  purple  (VIII,  1) 
when  ripe;  skin,  where  loose,  tawny  (V,  1)  ;  flesh  firm,  8  to  10  mm. 
thick ;  seed  very  thick,  six-tenths  to  seven-tenths  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
about  three-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  conspicuously  roughened  with  longi- 
tudinal and  transverse  furrows,  the  ventral  channel  closed,  the  germ 
pore  not  distinguishable ;  giant  cells  mostly  spherical  or  quadrangular 
with  rounded  angles,  rarely  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as  long  as 
wide,  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color Tronja  (p.  67). 

Fruit  25  to  35  mm.  in  greatest  diameter,  usually  somewhat  wider  than  long, 
usually  widest  above  the  middle,  often  slightly  depressed  at  the  apex, 
not  keeping  its  shape  well  irlicn  preserved,  deep  chrome  yellow  (VI,  8) 
before  maturity,  very  dark  brown  purple  (almost  black)  lohen  ripe;  flesh 
very  soft,  6  to  10  mm.  thick,  very  dark  colored ;  seed  two-thirds  to  four- 
fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide  as  long,  mummy 
brown  (III,  10)  to  russet  (III,  16)  color,  smooth,  the  ventral  channel 
nearly  closed  except  near  the  apex ;  giant  cells  very  variable  in  size  and 
shape,  spherical,  elliptical  or  irregularly  triangular  or  quadrangular  with 
rounded  angles,  mostly  one  to  one  and  one-half  (rarely  more  than  2) 
times  as  long  as  wide,  burnt  umber  (III,  8)  colored;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  deep  orange Tantabooshtc  (p.  85). 

BROAD    SOFT    DATES. 

Sirupy  Broad  Soft  Dates. 

Fruit  32.5  to  35  mm.  long,  about  three-fourths  as  wide,  very  broad  ovate,  widest 
at  the  base  and  narroived  thence  to  the  broad  rounded  apex,  bright  bay 
(IV,  5)  colored  with  a  pronounced  bloom  when  ripe;  flesh  very  soft,  about 
3  mm.  thick,  translucent;  seed  wood  brown  (III,  19),  one-half  to  two- 
thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  one-half  as  wide  as  long,  rounded  at 

a  Description  supplemented  by  fruit  from  the  garden  at  Tempe,  Ariz.,  from  a 
palm  originally  from  Biskra,  Algeria. 

&The  fruits  of  young  palms  labeled  Halooa  in  the  Tempe  garden,  originally 
from  Biskra,  Algeria,  differ  from  the  above  description  in  several  particulars 
and  probably  belong  to  another  variety.  It  should  be  noted  that  in  Tunis  the 
word  Halooa  (sweetmeat)  occurs  as  a  prefix  in  the  names  of  several  very 
different  varieties  of  dates.  Thus,  Halooa  Ch'eb,  Halooa  Teboolboo,  etc. 

c  Description  supplemented  from  the  fruit  of  3  palms  in  the  Tempe,  Ariz., 
date  garden. 


100  DATE   VAKIETIES   AND   DATE    CULTURE   IN    TUNIS. 

both  ends,  the  ventral  channel  open  throughout  its  length,  the  germ  pore 
a  little  above  the  middle;  giant  cells  mostly  spherical,  some  short  ellip- 
tical, a  few  angular,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  in  color;  branches  of  the 

fruit  clusters  light  orange Mokh  Begry   (p.  76). 

Fruit,  wider  at  or  above  the  middle  than  at  the  base,  very  dark  brown  or  black 
when  ripe. 

Fruit  ovate,  rather  abruptly  narrowed  near  the  somewhat  pointed  apex,  40  to 
42.5  mm.  long,  from  a  little  less  to  a  little  more  than  one-half  as  wide; 
bright  orange  before  maturity,  dark  chestnut  (IV,  9)  with  a  tinge  of 
maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe;  flesh  about  4  mm.  thick;  seed  20  to  25  mm. 
long,  one-third  to  two-fifths  as  wide,  burnt  umber  color  (III,  8),  the 
ventral  channel  open,  the  germ  pore  above  the  middle ;  giant  cells  nearly 
all  rounded,  either  spherical  or  short  elliptical,  one  and  one-half  to  two 
times  as  long  as  wide,  tawny  (V,  1)  colored;  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters orange Baydh  Hamman  (p.  77). 

Fruit  oblong  or  somewhat  obovate,  rounded  at  the  broad  apex,  black  or  nearly 
so  when  ripe. 

Fruit  oblong  or  oblong  ovate,  35  to  40  mm.  long,  generally  more  than  one-half  to 
two-thirds  as  wide,  bright  orange/  before  maturity,  very  dark  brown 
(almost  black)  when  ripe,  skin  where  loose  raw  umber  (III,  14)  colored; 
flesh  3  mm.  thick ;  seed  about  one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  two-fifths  to 
one-half  as  wide  as  long,  light  brown  (between  Isabella  (III,  23)  and 
fawn  (111,22)  color),  the  ventral  channel  open  nearly  or  quite  throughout 
its  length,  the  germ  pore  considerably  above  the  middle,  very  distinct; 
giant  cells  mostly  angular  (quadrangular)  but  many  spherical,  ferru- 
ginous (IV,  10)  in  color Tozer  Zaid  Safra  (p.  85). 

Fruit  generally  oblong  obovate,  37.5  to  42.5  mm.  long,  three-fifths  to  two-thirds 
as  wide,  dark  maroon  (IV,  2)  before  maturity,  black  when  ripe;  flesh 
about  4  mm.  thick ;  seed  about  two-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  two-fifths 
as  wide  as  long,  burnt  umber  color  (III,  8)  the  ventral  channel  almost 
completely  closed,  the  dorsal  circle  at  the  middle,  not  very  distinct; 
giant  cells  nearly  all  rounded,  mostly  spherical,  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in 
color__  —Tozer  Zaid  Khala  (p.  85). 

Firm  Broad  Soft  Dates. 

Flesh  thin  (not  exceeding  2.5  mm.  in  thickness),  becoming  very  firm  and  dry, 
more  than  half  of  it  consisting  of  a  white  fibrous  core,  fruit  2-5  mm.  long. 

Angoo.a 

Flesh  thick  (at  least  4  mm.  in  thickest  part),  not  becoming  very  dry,  the  white 
fibrous  core  forming  much  less  than  half  of  its  thickness,  fruit  at  least 
32.5  mm.  long. 

Skin  loosening  in  a  network  of  narrow  wrinkles  as  well  as  large  soft  blisters, 
orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  where  loose;  fruit  35  to  37.5  mm.  long,  ovate  or 
oblong  ovate  in  outline,  widest  at  or  below  the  middle,  purplish  maroon 
(IV,  2)  or  bay  colored  (IV,  5)  when  ripe;  flesh  4  to  5  mm.  thick,  firm 
yet  tender;  seed  averaging  22  mm.  long  and  9  mm.  wide,  russet  (III,  16) 
colored,  the  ventral  channel  open;  giant  cells  in  a  well-defined  zone, 
very  small,  irregularly  quadrangular  with  rounded  angles,  to  nearly 
elliptical  or  spherical  in  outline,  wax  yellow  (VI,  7)  to  orange  (VI,  3) 
in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  deep  orange Kseba  (p.  77). 

Skin  loosening  in  large  soft  blisters  but  not  developing  a  network  of  narrow 
wrinkles. 

Fruit  about  37.5  mm.  long,  22  to  26  mm.  wide,  ovate  (widest  near  the  base),  the 
surface  dull,  orange  colored  before  maturity,  between  maroon  (IV,  2)  and 
prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe;  skin  where  loose  ochraceous  (V.  7)  to 
russet  (III,  16)  ;  flesh  3  to  4  mm.  thick,  the  central  white  fibrous  core 
forming  nearly  one-half  the  total  thickness ;  seed  18  or  19  mm.  long, 
9  or  10  mm.  wide,  narrowed  at  both  ends,  the  ventral  channel  frequently 

o  This  is  properly  a  dry  date  and  is  described  on  p.  97 ;  but  on  account  of  its 
smooth,  blistered  rather  than  wrinkled  skin  it  might  be  sought  in  this  part 
of  the  key. 

92 


KEY   TO   THE   VARIETIES  ;**-•,'••,«•,.•-    101 


closed,  the  germ  pore  a  little  above  the  middle ;  giant  cells  mostly  about 
as  wide  as  long  and  angular  (irregularly  quadrangular,  pentagonal,  etc., 
with  rounded  angles),  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  in  color;  branches  of  the 

fruit  clusters  light  orange Doonga  (p.  78). 

Fruit  obovate  or  obovate  oblong  (widest  at  or  above  the  middle),  its  surface 
shining,  at  least  40  mm.  long  or,  if  shorter,  the  seed  with  more  or  less 
conspicuous  wing-like  lateral  ridges. 

Fruit  32.5  to  37.5  mm.  long,  about  two-thirds  as  wide,  bright  bay  (IV,  5)  col- 
ored, the  skin  where  loose  tawny  ochraceous  (V,  4)  ;  flesh  4  mm.  thick, 
light  brown ;  seed  with  more  or  less  conspicuous  lateral  wing-like  ridges, 
two-thirds  to  three-fourths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  generally  two-fifths  as 
wide  as  long,  broad  at  both  ends,  the  ventral  channel  frequently  closed; 
giant  cells  mostly  spherical  or  very  short  elliptical,  saffron  yellow 
(VI,  4) Besser  Haloo  (p.  78). 

Fruit  40  mm.  or  longer,  the  seed  without  wing-like  ridges  (although  sometimes 
roughened ) . 

Fruit  somewhat  fiddle-shaped,  widest  above  the  middle  but  often  somewhat  nar- 
rowed at  the  extreme  apex,  constricted  near  the  middle,  40  to  45  mm.  long, 
22.5  to  25  mm.  wide,  greenish  yellow  before  maturity,  between  maroon 
(IV,  2)  and  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe;  skin  where  loose  ochra- 
ceous (V,  7)  ;  flesh  5  mm.  thick,  firm  but  tender;  seed  about  throe-fifths 
as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wTide  as  long,  the  ventral  channel 
open,  germ  pore  small  and  inconspicuous ;  giant  cells  all  rounded,  de- 
cidedly longer  than  wide,  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  orange Boo  Fagoos  (p.  67). 

Fruit  not  fiddle-shaped  nor  constricted  near  the  middle,  giant  cells  angular, 
about  as  wide  as  long,  saffron  yellow  (VI,  4)  to  light  orange  (VI,  3) 
in  color. 

Fruit  45  to  50  mm.  long,  slightly  more  than  one-half  to  three-fifths  as  wide, 
conspicuously  wider  above  than  below  the  middle,  then  narrowed  to  the 
blunt  apex,  bright  orange  before  maturity,  bright  purplish  maroon  (IV,  2) 
when  ripe;  skin  loose  over  much  of  the  surface,  ochraceous  (V,  7)  to 
ochraceous  rufous  (V,  5)  ;  flesh  G  to  7  mm.  thick;  seed  24  to  27  mm. 
long,  about  two-fifths  as  wide,  cinnamon  brown  (III,  20),  the  ventral 
channel  open ;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  deep  orange. 

Boo  Affar  (p.  66). 

Fruit  40  to  60  mm.  long,  one-half  to  two-thirds  as  wide,  only  slightly  wider  above 
than  beloiv  the  middle,  broad  and  rounded  at  apex,  dull  orange  before 
maturity,  light  bay  (IV,  5)  or  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored  when  ripe,  the  skin 
in  large  part  loose  and  conspicuously  blistered  in  the  ripe  fruit,  orange 
(VI,  3)  to  ochraceous  (V,  7)  in  color;  flesh  5  to  6  mm.  thick;  seed  about 
one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  less  than  one-half  as  wide  as  long,  cinna- 
mon rufous  (IV,  16)  in  color,  its  surface  roughened  here  and  there  with 
irregular  ridges  and  furrows,  the  ventral  channel  frequently  closed, 
the  germ  pore  above  the  middle ;  giant  cells  very  diverse  in  shape 
and  size,  irregularly  quadrangular,  pear  or  cigar  shaped,  saffron  (VI,  4) 
to  orange  (VI,  3)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  light  orange. 

Areshty  (p.  71). 

NABBOW    SOFT   DATES. 

Skin  conspicuously  marked  with  short,  linear  scars,  fruit  47.5  to  52.5  mm.  long, 
17.5  to  20  mm.  wide,  oblong,  tapering  slightly  from  base  to  apex,  not 
curved  or  very  slightly  so,  bright  bay  (IV,  5)  when  ripe,  the  skin  where 
loose  ochraceous  (V,  7)  colored;  flesh  3  to  4  mm.  thick,  soft,  translucent; 
seed  30  mm.  long,  about  one-third  as  wide,  the  ventral  channel  sometimes 
closed,  the  germ  pore  considerably  above  the  middle,  very  distinct ;  giant 
cells  mostly  2  to  3  times  as  long  as  wide,  mostly  angular  or  pointed,  raw 
sienna  (V,  2)  colored Tafazween  (p.  68). 

Skin  not  marked  with  linear  scars,  giant  cells  rounded,  or,  if  angular,  the  fruit 
prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe. 

Fruit  50  to  62.5  mm.  long,  22.5  to  27.5  mm.  wide,  oblong,  somewhat  pointed  at 
apex,  usually  curved,  greenish  yellow  before  maturity,  prune  purple 
(VIII,  1)  with  considerable  bloom  when  ripe;  skin  where  loose  russet 

92 


102  DATE  .VARIETIES -AND    DATE    CULTUKE   IN    TUNIS. 

(ill,'  10),  surface  dull;  flesh  6  to  7  mm.  thick,  rather  tough;  seed  25  to 
30  mm.  long,  about  one-third  as  wide,  the  ventral  channel  very  open ; 
giant  cell*  raridblc  in  xhapc.  many  angular  or  sharp  pointed,  others 
spherical  or  elliptical,  1  to  3  times  (the  great  majority  1  to  1£  times)  as 
long  as  wide,  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clus- 
ters bright  orange Sayba  Boo  Dra  (p.  86). 

Fruit  not  exceeding  52.5  mm.  long,  giant  cells  with  rounded  outlines,  none  or 
very  few  angular. 

Fruit  not  curved,  50  to  52.5  mm.  long,  about  20  mm.  wide,  oblong,  somewhat 
pointed,  yellowish  to  reddish  orange  before  maturity,  deep  maroon 
(IV,  2)  to  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe,  the  skin  russet  (III,  16) 
where  loose,  shiny ;  flesh  5  to  6  mm.  thick,  soft ;  seed  slender,  23  to  2G 
mm.  long,  less  than  one-third  as  wide,  between  russet  (III,  1G)  and  burnt 
umber  (III,  8)  colored,  the  ventral  channel  narrow,  open;  giant  cells 
mostly  elliptical,  many  spherical,  a  few  rod-shaped  (more  than  twice  as 
long  as  wide)  none  angular,  deep  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color;  branches 
of  the  fruit  clusters  orange Okht  Ftecmy  (p.  79). 

Fruit  more,  or  less  curved  or,  if  straight,  bay  (IV,  5)  to  light  maroon  (IV,  2)  in 
color. 

Fruit  straight  or  nearly  so,  40  to  50  mm.  long,  two-fifths  to  nearly  one-half  as 
wide,  oblong  or  somewhat  obovate  in  outline,  not  keeping  its  shape  well 
when  ripe,  conspicuously  mucronate,  orange  before  maturity,  bay  (IV,  5) 
colored  when  ripe,  skin  where  loose  russet  (III,  16),  shiny;  flesh  4  to  8 
mm.  thick,  very  soft  and  sirupy;  seed  25  to  28  mm.  long,  two-sevenths  to 
one-third  as  wide,  broad  and  rounded  at  both  ends,  ventral  channel  closed 
near  the  middle  or  open  throughout ;  giant  cells  usually  spherical  but 
often  short  elliptical,  never  angular,  rarely  more  than  one  and  one-half 
times  as  long  as  wide,  orange  (VI,  3)  to  russet  (III,  16)  colored; 
branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  bright  orange Rhars  a  (p.  79). 

Fruit  more  or  less  curved,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  ripe,  flesh  not  more  than 
4  mm.  thick,  rather  firm. 

Skin  mostly  loose,  light  yellow  (between  saffron  (VI,  4)  and  maize  (VI,  21)  ), 
blistering  conspicuously  in  ripe  fruit;  fruit  about  50  mm.  long,  less  than 
two-fifths  as  wide,  oblong,  often  somewhat  larger  near  the  apex  than 
elsewhere,  between  bay  (IV,  5)  and  maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe,  its  sur- 
face shiny ;  flesh  2.5  to  3.5  mm.  thick,  rather  soft ;  seed  27  to  28  mm. 
long,  about  one-third  as  wide,  generally  some\vhat  curved,  between  fawn 
(III,  22)  and  cinnamon  (III,  20)  colored,  the  ventral  channel  open,  the 
germ  pore  considerably  above  the  middle,  conspicuous ;  giant  cells  spher- 
ical to  short  elliptical  (the  great  majority  less  than  twice  as  long  as 
wide),  none  angular,  deep  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color;  branches  of 
the  fruit  clusters  orange Kharoouy  (p.  86). 

Skin  not  conspicuously  blistered,  russet  (III,  16)  or  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored. 

Fruit  45  mm.  long,  20  mm.  wide,  oblong,  tapering  slightly  to  the  apex,  bay 
(IV,  5)  to  light  maroon  (IV,  2)  in  color  wjien  ripe,  rather  shiny;  flesh 
3.5  to  4  mm.  thick,  rather  tough ;  seed  27  to  30  mm.  long,  about  one-third 
as  wide,  russet  (111,  16),  its  surface  roughened  with  fine  wrinkles,  the 
ventral  channel  open,  the  germ  pore  below  the  middle ;  giant  cells 
spherical  to  rod-shaped,  many  of  them  3  times  as  long  as  wide,  none 
angular,  raw  sienna  (V,  2)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters 
orange Lagoo  (p.  80). 

Fruit  45  to  50  mm.  long,  about  two-fifths  as  wide,  oblong,  often  strongly  curved, 
very  dark  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  with  a  conspicuous  bloom  irlicn  ripe; 
skin  rather  tough,  not  shiny;  flesh  2  mm.  thick;  seed  25  to  30  mm.  long, 
about  one-third  as  wide,  russet  (III,  10),  often  curved,  the  ventral  chan- 
nel narrow,  open ;  giant  cells  sometimes  angular  or  pointed,  the  majority 
spherical,  few  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as  long  as  wide,  orange 
ochraceous  (V,  3)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  deep  orange. 

Oasby  (p.  87). 


•  Description  supplemented  from  fruit  from  Terupe,  Ariz.,  garden,  borne  by  2 
palms  originally  from  Biskra,  Algeria. 

92 


KEY   TO   THE   VARIETIES.  103 

INTERMEDIATE    SOFT   DATES. 

Obovate  Intermediate  Soft  Dates, 

Fruit  42.5  to  45  mm.  long,  square  at  base,  rounded  at  apex,  bright  orange  before 
maturity,  becoming  very  dark  (almost  black)  brown  purple  when  ripe; 
flesh  about  3  mm.  thick,  very  dark  colored  and  very  soft,  fruit  keeping 
its  shape  poorly  when  ripe ;  seed  20  to  24  mm.  long,  two-fifths  to  one-half 
as  wide,  rounded  at  both  ends,  the  ventral  channel  rather  wide,  open; 
giant  cells  extremely  variable  in  shape  and  size,  mostly  sharp  angled  and 
even  pointed,  triangular  or  quadrangular  in  outline,  orange  rufous  (IV, 
13)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  deep  orange. 

Bent  Segny  (p.  87). 

Fruit  maroon  (IV,  2)  or  bay  (IV,  5)  when  ripe;  giant  cells  fairly  uniform  in 
;<hape  and  size,  not  pointed  or  triangular. 

Fruit  40  to  .'i2.it  mm.  long,  tapering  slightly  at  both  ends,  extremely  soft,  not 
Jceeping  its  shape  when  preserved,  bright  bay  (IV,  5)  when  ripe,  skin 
where  loose  saffron  colored  (VI,  4)  ;  flesh  about  3  mm.  thick,  translucent, 
light  colored ;  seed  24  to  20  mm.  long,  about  one-third  as  wide,  the  ventral 
channel  open;  giant  cells  all  rounded,  mostly  spherical  but  a  few  ellip- 
tical, none  more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide,  mostly  much  smaller  than 
in  Bent  Segny,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  in  color Deglet  Hassen  (p.  92). 

Fruit  not  exceeding  Jfi  mm.  long,  moderately  soft,  keeping  its  shape  fairly  well 
when  preserved;  giant  cells  many  of  them  angular. 

Fruit  very  dark  colored  (between  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  and  brown)  when 
ripe,  30  to  38  mm.  long,  generally  obovate  or  obovate  oblong,  square  at 
base,  rounded  at  apex;  skin  where  loose  burnt  umber  (III,  8)  color; 
flesh  2  to  3  mm.  thick,  very  soft  and  dark  colored;  fibrous  lining  of  the 
central  cavity  well  developed ;  seed  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  blunt  at  both  ends,  mars  brown  (III,  13) 
in  color,  the  ventral  channel  open,  the  germ  pore  very  indistinct;  giant 
cells  chiefly  spherical  or  short  elliptical  but  many  quadrangular  with 
rounded  angles,  feiu  of  them  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as  long 
as  ivide,  tawny  (V.  1)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  orange 
(VI,  3) Ammarya  (p.  88). 

Fruit  bay  (IV,  5)  or  maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe;  giant  cells  all  or  nearly  all 
angular,  mostly  not  longer  than  wide,  almost  never  more  than  one  and 
one-half  times  as  long  as  wide. 

Fruit  about  40  mm.  long;  seed  averaging  25  mm.  long,  about  one- third  as  wide. 
the  ventral  channel  wide,  open,  the  germ  pore  near  the  base;  flesh  about 
3  mm.  thick ;  giant  cells  mostly  angular  but  many  spherical,  the  great 
majority  not  longer  than  wide  (i  to  J  as  large  as  in  Deglet  Hassen), 
orange  ochraceous  (V,  3)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  bright 
orange Goondy  (p.  88). 

Fruit  35  to  37.5  mm.  long ;  flesh  about  3  mm.  thick ;  seed  averaging  20  mm.  long, 
about  two-fifths  as  wide,  the  ventral  channel,  narrow  but  open;  giant  cells 
all  more  or  less  angular,  (about  twice  as  large  as  in  Goondy),  ochraceous 
(V,  7)  in  color;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  orange Zekry  (p.  81). 

Ovate  Intermediate  Soft  Dates. 

Firm,  white  central  portion  of  the  flesh  at  least  twice  as  thick  as  the  soft,  dark- 
colored  outer  portion Kenta.b 

Firm  white  central  portion  of  the  flesh  not  nearly  so  thick  as  the  soft,  dark- 
colored  outer  portion. 

White  fibrous  lining  of  the  central  cavity  little  developed;  fruit  35  to  50  mm. 
long,  narrowed  from,  about  the  middle  to  the  rounded  apex  and  often 

a  Description  drawn  up  from  material  from  Tempe,  Ariz.,  garden,  from  a  palm 
originally  from  Ourlana,  Algeria. 

&  This  variety  (as  well  as  the  Angoo,  p.  97)  belongs  evidently  to  the  dry 
date  class,  and  is  described  on  p.  97;  but,  on  account  of  its  smooth,  very  loose 
skin  (narrow  transverse  wrinkles  few  or  none),  it  is  likely  to  be  sought  in  this 
part  of  the  key. 

92 


104  DATE    VARIETIES   AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

also  to  the  base,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  before  maturity,  maroon  (IV,  2) 
when  ripe,  its  skin  ochraceous  (V,  7)  colored  where  loose,  shiny;  flesh 
soft,  4  to  6  mm.  thick ;  seed  a  little  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
ffencrullj/  ronxvicuoHxli/  jtointcd  at  the  ape,v  and  often  narrowed  to  the 
base,  very  smooth,  chestnut  (IV,  9)  colored;  the  ventral  channel  more  or 
less  closed;  giant  cells  mostly  rounded  (a  few  with  rounded  angles), 
either  spherical  or  short  elliptical  (1  to  2  times  as  long  as  wide),  rufous 
(IV,  7)  colored,  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  maize  .(VI,  21)  yellow. 

Deglet  Noor  (p.  03). 

White  fibrous  lining  strongly  developed  throughout  the  length  of  the  central 
cavity;  seed  generally  rounded  at  both  ends,  rough,  light  colored  (cin- 
namon (III,  20)  to  Isabella  (III,  23)  brown). 

Ripe  fruit  dark  prune  purple,  its  skin  adhering  closely  to  the  flesh,  (very  little 
blistered  or  wrinkled),  conspicuously  marked  with  transverse  and  longi- 
tudinal linear  scars;  fruit  40  to  45  mm.  long,  narrowed  from  about  the 
middle  to  the  rounded  apex,  keeping  its  shape  perfectly  when  ripe; 
flesh  about  4  mm.  thick,  firm  but  tender ;  seed  22  to  23  mm.  long,  nearly 
one-half  as  wide,  widest  near  the  middle,  rounded  at  the  ends,  the  ventral 
channel  closed;  giant  cells  very  small,  the  majority  angular  (generally 
somewhat  regularly  quadrangular),  but  many  spherical  or  pear-shaped, 
rarely  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as  long  as  wide,  orange  rufous 
(IV,  13)  colored;  branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  bright  orange. 

Khalt  Mooashem  (p.  81). 

Ripe  fruit  not  darker  in  color  than  purplish  maroon  (IV,  2),  much  of  the  skin 
blistered,  not  scarred. 

Branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  maize  yellow  (VI,  21)  ;  fruit  40  to  42.5  mm. 
long,  narrowed  from  about  the  middle  to  the  rounded  apex,  between 
maroon  (IV,  2)  and  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe,  with  considerable 
bloom;  skin  where  loose  tawny  ochraceous  (V,  4),  somewhat  shiny; 
flesh  about  4  mm.  thick ;  seed  about  two-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit, 
about  one-third  as  wide  as  long,  cinnamon  brown  (III,  20),  the  ventral 
channel  open,  the  germ  pore  above  the  middle;  giant  cells  very  uniform 
in  shape  and  size,  nearly  all  rounded  and  spherical,  ferruginous  (IV,  10) 
in  color Khalt  Deglaowia  (p.  82). 

Branches  of  the  fruit  clusters  orange  (VI,  3),  fruit  45  to  50  mm.  long  or.  if 
shorter,  the  ripe  fruit  bay  colored  (IV,  5)  and  the  giant  cells  mostly 
sharp-angled. 

Fruit  40  mm.  long,  narrowed  from  near  the  base  to  the  rounded  apex,  dull 
orange  before  maturity,  bay  colored  (IV,  5)  when  ripe,  skin  where 
loose  tawny  olive  (III,  17),  somewhat  shiny;  flesh  about  3  mm.  thick, 
rather  tough ;  seed  23  to  25  mm.  long,  about  one-third  as  wide,  the  ven- 
tral channel  open ;  giant  cells  very  diverse  in  shape  and  size,  the  great 
majority  sharp-angled  (very  few  spherical),  and  irregularly  triangular 
or  quadrangular  in  outline,  sometimes  irregularly  club-shaped  or  cigar- 
shaped,  often  sharp-pointed  or  even  aristate,  more  than  half  of  them  2  to 
3  times  as  long  as  wide,  orange  (VI,  3)  to  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  in 
color Karooy  (p.  89). 

Fruit  45  to  50  mm.  long;  giant  cells  all  rounded  or,  if  sharp-angled,  the  color  of 
the  fruit  dark  (between  maroon  (IV,  2)  and  prune  purple  (VIII,  1) 
and  the  flesh  4  to  6  mm.  thick. 

Flesh  only  3  mm.  thick,  translucent,  soft,  sugar  not  crystallizing  on  the  cut 
surface;  fruit  50  mm.  long,  tapering  from  at  or  near  the  base  to  the 
somewhat  pointed  apex,  light  orange  before  maturity,  bright  bay  (IV, 
5)  when  ripe;  skin  where  loose  ochraceous  (V,  7),  shiny;  seed  about 
one-half  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  two-fifths  as  wide  as  long,  deeply 
furrowed  at  base,  the  ventral  channel  open;  giant  cells  all  rounded  (or 
a  few  very  indistinctly  angled),  the  majority  elliptical  (1^  to  2  times  as 
long  as  wide),  a  few  spherical,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13),  of  nearly  the 
same  size  and  color  as  in  the  Deglet  Noor  (see  above )—Selatny  (p.  93). 

Flesh  4  to  6  mm.  thick,  sugar  crystallizing  conspicuously  on  the  cut  surface; 
fruit  45  to  50  nun.  l<»i<i<  dull  orange  red  before  maturity,  dark  maroon 
(IV,  2)  to  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  when  ripe. 

Fruit  narrowed  from  at  or  near  the  base  to  the  someivhat  pointed  apex,  skin 
where  loose  tawny  (V,  1)  ;  seed  25  to  26  mm.  long,  about  one-third  as 
wide,  more  or  less  truncate  at  apex,  the  ventral  channel  open  or  partly 
92 


KEY   TO   THE   VARIETIES.  105 

closed;  giant  cells  very  small  (resembling  those  of  Deglet  Noor  and 
Selathy),  quite  uniform  in  size  and  shape,  all  rounded,  spherical  or  short 
elliptical,  rarely  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as  long  as  wide, 

rufous  (IV,  7)  in  color Khali  Horraowia  (p.  82). 

Fruit  not  conspicuously  narrowed  until  from  about  the  middle,  broad  at  apex, 
skin  where  loose  ochraceous  (V,  7),  seed  24  to  25  mm.  long,  about  two- 
fifths  as  wide,  rounded  at  apex,  the  ventral  channel  open  or  partly 
closed ;  giant  cells  3  to  4  times  as  large  as  in  the  preceding,  extremely 
diverse  in  size  and  shape,  all  angled  (generally  sharply  so),  irregularly 
triangular  or  quadrangular  or  angular  rod,  club,  or  pear  shaped,  often 
three  to  four  times  as  long  as  wide,  between  saffron  (VI,  4)  and  orange 
(VI,  3)  in  color Khalt  Menakhrya  (p.  93). 

Oblong  Intermediate  Soft  Dates. 

Fruit  nearly  black  when  ripe,  very  soft,  not  'keeping  its  shape  well,  35  to  40 
mm.  long;  giant  cells  mostly  angular Toser  Zaid  Safra*  (p.  85). 

Fruit  not  darker  than  chestnut  (IV,  9)  or  maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe,  or,  if 
black,  the  giant  cells  all  rounded,  none  angular. 

Fruit  black  when  ripe,  very  soft,  not  keeping  its  shape  well,  40  to  45  mm. 
long ;  seed  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  about  one-third  as  wide 
as  long,  between  mummy  brown  (III,  10)  and  russet  (III,  16)  in  color, 
the  ventral  channel  open  or  partly  closed,  the  germ  pore  above  the  mid- 
dle;  giant  cells  all  rounded,  spherical  or  short  elliptical,  not  more  than 
one  and  one-half  times  as  long  as  wide,  orange  (VI,  3)  colored. 

Tenaseen  c. 

Fruit  brown,  bay  (IV,  5),  or  maroon  (IV,  2)  when  ripe. 

Fruit  conspicuously  wider  near  the  middle  than  elsewhere  and  rapidly  diminish- 
ing in  width  from  that  point  to  the  narrow  base  and  apex;  seed  generally 
tapering  from  near  the  apex  to  a  rather  sharp  point Deglet  Noor.d 

Fruit  only  moderately  wider  near  the  middle  than  elsewhere  and  gradually 
diminishing  from  that  point  to  the  base  and  apex,  or  else  of  about  the 
same  width  throughout  almost  its  entire  length;  seed  more  or  less  rounded 
and  abruptly  tipped  (mucronate)  at  apex,  not  taper  pointed. 

Fruit  ivhen  ripe  light  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored  without  any  tinge  of  purple,  the 
skin  where  loose  saffron-yellow  (VI,  4),  shiny.  47.5  to  50  mm.  long, 
somewhat  blunt  pointed  at  the  apex,  not  keeping  its  shape  well;  flesh  about 
5  mm.  thick,  very  soft  and  sirupy,  with  almost  no  white  fibrous  lining 
to  the  central  cavity ;  seed  23  to  25  mm.  long,  a  little  more  than  one-third 
as  wide,  russet  (III,  16)  to  chestnut  (IV,  9)  colored,  the  ventral  channel 
open,  the  germ  pore  below  the  middle ;  giant  cells  quite  uniform  in  size, 
mostly  rounded  (spherical,  short  elliptical,  or  pear-shaped),  some  quad- 
rangular with  rounded  angles,  none  more  than  one  and  one-half  times  as 
long  as  wide,  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  to  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color. 

Deglet  Hamidatoo  (p.  92). 

Fruit  when  ripe  darker  colored,  bay  (IV,  5),  maroon  (IV,  2),  or  chestnut 
(IV,  9),  with  a  purple  tinge  or,  if  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored  and  without 
purple  tinge,  then  of  rather  firm  consistency,  keeping  its  shape  well  when 
preserved  and  with  the  giant  cells  mostly  angular  (Areshty). 

a  These  four  "  Khalts  "  (Mooashem,  Deglaowia,  Horraowia,  and  Menakhry) 
have  the  skin  more  or  less  conspicuously  transversely  wrinkled  as  well  as  blis- 
tered, and  the  flesh,  although  tender,  of  quite  firm  consistency,  characters  be- 
longing rather  to  the  dry  than  the  soft  dates  (see  p.  96),  and  they  appear  to 
be  somewhat  related  to  the  Horra  variety  (see  p.  98)  ;  but  on  account  of  their 
thick  sugary  flesh  and  rich  flavor,  it  seems  proper  to  class  them  among  the 
soft  dates. 

&  The  fruit  of  this  variety  is  usually  considerably  less  than  twice  as  long  as 
wide  (see  p.  100). 

c  This  variety  is  common  in  the  oases  of  eastern  Algeria.  A  young  palm  in 
the  garden  at  Tempe,  Ariz.,  originally  from  Ourlana,  Algeria,  has  much  shorter, 
obovate  fruit  and  although  labeled  "  Tenaseen "  it  is  certainly  not  identical 
with  the  above-described  fruit,  which  was  obtained  in  the  Oued  Souf.  The  latter 
is  in  all  probability  the  true  Tenaseen. 

<*  This  variety  has  the  fruit  generally  decidedly  larger  near  the  base  than  near 
the  apex  and  is  therefore  classed  with  the  ovate  intermediate  soft  dates.     The 
form  described  on  this  page  is  the  exception,  that  oh  page  104  is  the  rule. 
92 


106  DATE    VARIETIES    AND    DATE    CULTURE    IN    TUNIS. 

Fruit  iclicn  ripe  chestnut  colored  (IV,  9)  with  a  very  slight  purple  tinge,  the 
skin  where  loose  tawny  olive  (III,  17)  or  ochraceous  (V,  7),  shiny,  the 
fruit  bright  orange  before  maturity,  nearly  50  mm.  long,  somewhat 
pointed  and  conspicuously  one-sided  at  apex,  not  keeping  its  shape  well 
when  ripe;  flesh  about  4.5  mm.  thick,  extremely  soft  and  sirupy;  seed 
23  to  24  mm.  long,  about  two-fifths  as  wide,  chestnut  (IV,  9)  colored; 
the  ventral  channel  more  or  less  closed,  giant  cells  very  diverse  in  size 
and  shape,  all  angled  (often  sharply  so),  generally  considerably  longer 
than  wide,  triangular,  quadrangular,  or  somewhat  pear-shaped,  the  out- 
lines often  very  irregular,  ferruginous  (IV,  10)  in  color__ Iteema  (p.  89). 

Fruit  when  ripe  bay  (IV,  5)  or  maroon  (IV,  2)  to  prune  purple  (VIII,  1)  (varying 
to  hazel  (IV,  12)  in  Areshty),  not  or  not  conspicuously  one  sided  at  apex. 

White  fibrous  lining  to  the  central  cavity  almost  none,  flesh  only  about  2  in  in. 
thick,  all  soft  and  dark  colored  when  ripe;  fruit  45  mm.  long,  oblong, 
narrowed  slightly  at  both* ends,  keeping  its  shape  only  fairly  well  when 
ripe,  bright  orange  yellow  before  maturity,  maroon  (IV,  2)  with  slight 
purple  tinge  when  ripe,  skin  where  loose  saffron  (VI,  4)  to  orange  (VI,  3), 
shiny ;  seed  about  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit  and  about  one-third  as 
wide  as  long,  the  ventral  channel  open  or  closed ;  giant  cells  never  more 
and  usually  less  than  twice  as  long  as  wide,  quite  variable  in  form,  nearly 
all  angular,  in  outline  triangular,  quadrangular,  or  somewhat  pear-shaped  ; 
color  orange  rufous  (IV,  13)  to  ferruginous  (IV,  10) __  Chedakh  (p.  92). 

White  fibrous  lining  to  the  central  cavity  well  developed,  flesh  at  least  3  •nun-. 
thick,  skin  where  loose  ochraceous  (V,  7)  to  russet  (III,  16),  rarely 
orange  (VI,  3). 

Flesh  soft  and  sirupy,  4  mm.  thick;  fruit  keeping  its  shape  only  fairly  well 
when  ripe,  42.5  to  47.5  mm.  long,  slightly  narrowed  at  both  ends,  reddish 
orange  before  maturity,  between  dark  maroon  (IV,  2)  and  prune  purple 
(VIII,  1)  with  a  conspicuous  bloom  when  ripe,  its  surface  shiny;  seed 
between  one-half  and  three-fifths  as  long  as  the  fruit,  usually  slightly 
less  than  one-third  as  wide  as  long,  widest  below  the  middle  or  about 
equally  wide  throughout,  the  ventral  channel  open ;  giant  cells  nearly  all 
angular,  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding  (Chedakh)  ;  branches  of  the 
fruit  clusters  deep  orange Ftecniy  (p.  G9). 

Flesh  of  firm  consistency,  fruit  keeping  its  shape  well  when  ripe,  broad  at  base 
or,  if  somewhat  narrowed  at  base,  the  fruit  only  40  mm.  long,  then  the 
flesh  only  3  mm.  thick  and  the  giant  cells  all  rounded  or  nearly  so. 

Fruit  40  mm.  long,  generally  slightly  narrowed  at  both  ends,  bright  maroon 
when  ripe,  with  considerable  bloom;  flesh  3  mm.  thick,  not  very  sugar//; 
seed  smooth,  25  mm.  long,  about  two-fifths  sis  wide,  widest  above  the 
middle,  the  ventral  channel  open,  the  germ  pore  above  the  middle;  giant 
cells  very  uniform  in  size  and  shape,  all  rounded,  spherical  or  nearly  so, 
orange  (VI,  3)  in  color Khalt  Hameed  (p.  89). 

Fruit  40  to  60  mm.  long,  broad  at  base,  flesh  4  to  6  mm.  thick,  very  sugary;  seed 
rough. 

Fruit  41.5  to  55  mm.  long,  oblong  or  oblong  ovate,  broad  and  rounded  at  base 
and  apex,  keeping  its  shape  well  when  ripe,  dull  orange  yellow  before 
maturity,  between  maroon  (IV,  2)  and  chestnut  (IV,  9)  or  between 
chestnut  and  hazel  (IV,  12)  colored  with  a  purplish  bloom  when  ripe; 
flesh  4  to  6  mm.  thick,  the  white  fibrous  lining  to  the  central  cavity  well- 
developed  ;  seed  23  to  25  mm.  long,  two-fifths  to  one-half  as  wide,  russet 
(111,16)  to  chestnut  (IV,  9)  colored,  its  surface  uniformly  roughened 
with  small  pits  and  fine  wrinkles,  the  ventral  channel  frequently  closed, 
the  germ  pore  usually  distinct,  always  above  the  middle  of  the  seed  ; 
giant  cell*  finite  uniform  in  size  and  shape,  all  rounded,  mostly  spherical 
but  some  short-elliptical  (1*  or  nearly  2  times  as  long  as  wide),  rufous 
(IV,  7)  colored;  branches  o~f  the  fruit  cluster*  lemon  i/elloir. 

Meini/Jier  (p.  61). 

Fruit  dull  orange  before  maturity,  light  bay  (IV,  5)  or  Jit/Jit  hazel  (IV,  12) 
colored  when  ripe;  seed  roughened  here  and  there  with  irregular  ridges 
and  furrows;  giant  cells  very  diverge  in  xluipe  and  -s/.rr,  nearlu  all  annu- 
lar, saffron  (VI,  4)  to  orange  (VI,  3)  in  color;  branehe*  of  the  fruit 
clusters  light  orange t/r*/////«  (p.  71). 

a  The  fruit  of  this  variety  is  generally  at  least  4  mm.  less  than  twice  as  long 
as  wid«',  and  it  is  therefore  described  more  fully  under  liroad  Soft  Dates. 
p.  101.) 
92 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Algerian  oases,  climate  compared  with  Tunis  oases 22,23,24,27,28 

Alkali  soils 36-41 

composition  of  the  alkali 37 

reclamation    36 

resistant  varieties  of  date  palm 66,70,72,74,78,79,84,85 

Ammary  variety 87, 103 

Angoo  variety 74,  97 

Areshty  variety 70, 101 

Arizona  localities,  climate  compared  with  Tunis  oases 22,  23,  24,  27,  28 

Atmospheric   humidity 26 

Baydh  Hammam  variety 76,100 

Bayjoo  variety 82,  97 

Bent  Segny  variety 87,103 

Besser  Haloo  variety 78,101 

Boo  Affar  variety 58,66,101 

Boo  Fagoos  variety 58,67,101 

Calcium  sulphate  in  soils 34,38 

Chedakh  variety 92,106 

Classification  of  varieties  hy  botanical  characters 95-97 

by  commercial  value— 57 

Climate  of  Tunisian  oases .V, 21-28 

humidity 26-27 

precipitation 25,27-28 

temperature 21-26 

Climate  of  different  years  as  affecting  date  crop 25,26,51,52 

Colors,  terms  used  in  describing 95 

Cost  of  agricultural  operations 45,47,53-54 

Cultivation  of  soil 45 

Culture  of  date  palm 41-55 

Date  crop  as  affected  by  climate  of  different  years 25,  26,  51,  52 

Deglet  Barca  variety 90 

Caid  variety 90 

Hamidatoo  variety 92,105 

Hassen  variety ' 92, 103 

Noor  variety  58,  63, 104 

alkali    resistance 66 

botanical  characters 63,104 

climatic  conditions  necessary 64 

commercial  importance 58,63 

geographical  distribution  and  abundance 64 

harvesting 52-54 

productiveness   65 

quality  in  Tunis  as  compared  with  Algeria 65 

quality  of  fruit  from  commercial  standpoint 58,63 

slow  development  of  palms 65 

time  of  ripening 65 

Sennayga   variety 90 

Djerid.     See  Jerid. 

Doonga  variety 77, 101 

Douz    oasis 19 

Drainage,  chemical  composition  of  drainage  water 40 

description   of   system 33 

importance  in  reclaiming  alkali  soils 36 

92  107 


108  INDEX. 

Page. 

Dry  dates,  characteristics 60,96 

value  as  vegetarian   food 73 

El  Hamma  oasis   (Gabes) 19 

(Jerid)    17 

El   Oudiane  oasis 16 

Fertility  of  soils 35 

Folklore  of  date  palm___^ 14,46 

Fruit  clusters,  removal  from  very  young  trees 50 

straddling  to  prevent  breaking  of  stalks 51 

Fteemy    variety 57,  59,  68, 106 

alkali    resistance 70 

botanical  characters 68-69, 106 

commercial    importance 69,70 

geographical  distribution  and  abundance 69 

keeping   quality 70 

productiveness    70 

rapid  development  of  palms '. 69,  70 

time  of  ripening 70 

Ftirni.     See  Fteemy. 

Gabes  oasis 19-20 

Gafsa  oasis i 20-21 

Gardens,    characteristics 13,  55 

protection  from  sand 14 

size  and  value 41-42 

sunken 16,  19 

Gasb  Haloo  variety 90 

Gasby    variety 87, 102 

Geography  11-21 

Germ  pore  of  date  seed 94 

Giant  cells  of  date 95 

Goondy    variety 88, 103 

Groups  of  varieties,  synopsis 96-97 

Guern-el-Rhezal    variety 90 

Gypsum  content  of  soils 34,38 

Halooa  Bayda  variety 75,99 

Hamra    variety 83,  98 

Harvesting  dates 52-54 

Heat,  total  in  Tunisian  oases 24-26 

Horra    variety 59,  71,  98 

Humidity,  atmospheric 26-27 

effect  on  ripening  of  dates 19 

Implements.     See  Tools. 

Importation  of  offshoots 10,56 

Irrigation 28-33,  47-48 

amount  of  water  used 29,47 

chemical  composition  of  water 30-31 

frequency  at  different  seasons 47-48 

methods    33,  47 

newly  planted  palms 47 

relation  to  ripening  of  dates 48 

saline  or  alkaline  water  used 40,48 

system  of  canals  and  dams 31-33 

Iteema  variety 89, 106 

Jerid  oasis 11-17 

Karooy  variety 88, 104 

Kenta   variety 59,72,97 

Kenteeshy  variety 84,  99 

Key  to  the  varieties 97-106 

Khadraya  variety 90 

Khalt  Boo  Fagoos  variety 91 

Deglaowia  variety 81, 104 

Gama  variety 91 

Hameed   variety 89, 106 

Horraowia  variety 82, 105 

Kebeer  variety 91 

Kentaowia  variety 91 

92 


INDEX.  109 

Pagre 

Khali  Menak'hry  variety 93,105 

Mooashem  variety 81, 104 

Kharooby    variety 86, 102 

Kseba   variety 77.100 

Labor 42-43 

Lagoo    variety -  80,102 

Legends  concerning  the  date  palni 14,46 

Lemsy   variety 75,  99 

Male  palms 50-51 

Manuring  49-50 

Measurements  given  in  descriptions 94 

Menakher  variety 57,60, 106 

botanical    characters 60-61, 106 

commercial  possibilities 57,61,62 

geographical  distribution  and  rarity 57,62 

introduction  into  United  States 57,58,63 

keeping  quality 61 

multiplication,  rapid,  possibility 58 

productiveness    62 

propagation,  difficult 63 

quality  of  fruit 61,62 

ripening,   time 62 

Mokh  Begry  variety 57,76,100 

Names  of  varieties 56 

Nefta   oasis 15-16 

Nefzaoua  oases 17-19 

Nomenclature  of  varieties 56 

Oases,  area  covered  and  number  of  date  palms 15-20 

description 

protection  from  sand 14, 18 

Offshoots,  importation,  number 10 

packing  for  transportation 45 

prices   paid 44 

production,  how  stimulated 43 

removal  from  parent  tree 44-45 

size  for  transplanting 44 

Okht  Ammary  variety 91 

Fteemy  variety 79, 102 

Packing  dates  for  shipment 54 

Planting  46-47 

Pollination 50 

relation  of  irrigation 48 

Population  of  oases 15,42,43 

Precipitation 25,  27-28,  51-52 

Preparing  land  for  planting  date  palms 45 

Preserving   dates 54—55 

Propagation 43^5 

Rainfall.     See  Precipitation. 
Reclamation.     Sec  Alkali. 

Remta  variety 83,  98 

Rhars  variety 80, 102 

Ripening  of  dates 51-52 

climatic  factors  affecting 23-26 

hastening,   suggestions 52 

relation  of  irrigation 48 

Saline  soils.     See  Alkali. 
Salt.     See  Alkali. 

Salton  Basin,  Cal.,  climate  compared  with  Tunis  oases 22,24,25,27-28 

Sand,  protection  of  oases 14, 18 

Sayba  Boo  Dra  variety 86, 102 

Sba  Aroossa  variety 91 

Seacoast,  date  culture  near 19,20 

Seedling  date  palms 43 

Selatny  variety 57,  93, 104 

Shelter  for  young  palms 47 

Shipment  of  dates,  factors  affecting 15,54 

92 


110  INDEX. 

Page. 
Soft  dates,  characteristics 60,96 

Soils  of  Tunisian  oases 33-41 

alkali  content 36-41 

fertility    35 

texture 33-35 

Suckers.     See  Offshoots. 

Sunken  gardens 16, 19 

Tafazaouine.     See  Tafazween. 

Tafazween  variety 58,68, 101 

Tantaboosht  variety 84,  99 

Temperature 21-26 

Tenantry    system 42^43 

Tenaseen  variety 89, 105 

Thaby  variety - —  74,  98 

Tools  used  by  natives 44-45 

Topography.    See  Geography. 

Towadant   variety 91 

Tozer   oasis 16 

Zaid  Khala  variety 85,100 

Safra  variety 85, 100 

Trimming  off  old  leaves 50 

Tronja  variety 58,  66,  99 

Troundja.     See  Tronja. 

Varieties  of  the  date  palm 55-106 

classification  by  botanical  characters 96-106 

geographical  distribution 55 

grading  as  to  quality  of  fruit,  etc 57 

groups,    synopsis 96-97 

importation,  considerations  governing : 10 

key  97-106 

nomenclature  followed 56 

number  in  Tunis 55-56 

Watering.     See  Irrigation. 

Water  supply   18,19,28-31 

Winds,  dry,  hot,  effect  upon  fruit 51 

north,  shelter  from 16,17 

sand-bearing,  protection  against 14, 18 

Zekry  variety 81,103 

Zrai  variety 91 

92 


PLATES. 


92  111 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PLATES. 
PLATE  I.  Frontispiece.     Harvesting  Deglet  Noor  dates  from  tall  trees  at  Tozer. 

PLATE  II.  Fig.  1. — An  unirrigated  tract  of  alkali  land  in  the  midst  of  Tozer 
oasis,  \vith  a  growth  of  salt-loving  samphire,  or  "  pickle  weed."  Only  water 
is  needed  to  transform  this  spot  into  luxuriant  date  gardens,  like  those  sur- 
rounding it.  Fig.  2. — Working  the  soil  of  a  date  garden  with  the  "  messah,"  or 
short-handled  hoe,  preparatory  to  planting  onions.  Illustrates  the  frequent  cul- 
tivation given  well -cared- for  date  gardens;  also  (background),  recently  planted 
palms  sheltered  by  tent-like  coverings  of  date  leaves. 

PLATE  III.  Date  palm  (Khalt  Aly  Meskeen  variety)  showing  the  "  straddling" 
of  a  heavy  bunch  of  fruit  to  prevent  the  breaking  of  the  stalks.  This  is  a  com- 
mon practice  in  the  Tunis  oases  and  saves  much  fruit  that  would  otherwise 
be  lost 

PLATE  IV.  Fig.  1. — A  Tronja  palm  with  numerous  offshoots  (one  as  large  as 
the  main  trunk)  in  unirrigated  alkali  land,  showing  the  characteristic  curving 
of  the  leaves.  Fig.  2. — A  typical  male  date  palm,  showing  the  characteristic 
heavy  crown  of  foliage. 

PLATE  V.  Fig.  1. — Menakher  palm  at  Nefta,  said  to  be  20  years  old.  One  of 
the  offshoots  shown  was  imported  into  the  United  States.  Fig.  2. — Older 
Menakher  palm  at  El  Oudiane,  with  two  large  fruiting  offshoots. 

PLATE  VI.  Fig.  1. — Deglet  Noor  palm,  oasis  of  El  Oudiane,  showing  the  char- 
acteristic drooping  of  the  long-stalked  fruit  clusters.  Fig.  2. — Lagoo  palm, 
showing  horizontal  or  erect  short-stalked  fruit  clusters.  Fig.  3. — The  town  of 
Nefta,  a  community  supported  almost  entirely  by  date  culture. 

PLATE  VII.  Fig.  1. — Full-grown  Fteeiny  palms  in  a  hollow,  oasis  of  El  Oudiane. 
Fig.  2. — A  plantation  of  6-year-old  date  palms  at  the  edge  of  Nefta  oasis,  in 
land  that  was  formerly  covered  with  an  efflorescence  of  salts.  The  varieties 
represented  are  Fteemy,  Okht  Fteemy,  and  Deglet  Noor  (a  Fteemy  palm  near 
the  center  in  the  foreground).  The  arrangement  of  the  "lands"  for  irrigation 
and  a  young  crop  of  alfalfa  among  the  palms  are  shown. 

PLATE  VIII.  Dates,  natural  size.  (1)  Deglet  Noor  variety;  (2)  Menakher 
variety. 

PLATE  IX.  Dates,  natural  size.     (1)  Tronja  variety;   (2)   Boo  Affar  variety. 

PLATE  X.  Dates,  natural  size.  (1)  Horra  variety;  (2)  Kenta  variety;  (3) 
Fteemy  variety;  (4)  Mokh  Begry  variety. 

92 

112 

o 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE 


FIG.  1.— ALKALI  LAND  IN  THE  MIDST  OF  TOZER  OASIS. 


FIG.  2.— WORKING  THE  SOIL  OF  A  DATE  GARDEN  WITH  THE  "MESSAH",  OH  SHORT- 
HANDLED  HOE. 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  III. 


DATE  PALM,  SHOWING  "STRADDLING"  OF  FRUIT  CLUSTER  TO  PREVENT  THE  BREAKING 

OF  THE  STALK. 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Uept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  IV. 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  V. 


Jul,  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  VI. 


FIG.  1 .— DEGLET  MOOR  PALM. 


FIG.  2.— LAGOO  PALM. 


FIG.  3.— THE  TOWN  OF  NEFTA,  WITH  DATE  GARDEN  IN  LEFT  FOREGROUND. 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Indujtry,  U.  S.  Dept.  cf  Agriculture. 


PLATE  VII. 


FIG.  1 .— FTEEMY  PALMS,  EL  OUDIANE. 


FIG.  2.— PLANTATION  OF  SIX-YEAR-OLD  DATE  PALMS  AT  NEFTA. 

A  Fteemy  palm  in  the  foreground. 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  5.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  VIII. 


DATES,  NATURAL  SIZE. 

1.— Deglet  Xoor  variety.  2.— Menakher  variety, 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  IX, 


DATES,  NATURAL  SIZE. 

] .— Tronja  variety.  2.— Boo  Affar  variety, 


Bui.  92,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


PLATE  X. 


DATES,  NATURAL  SIZE. 

1.— Horra  variety.  2.— Kenta  variety.  3.— Fteemy  variety.  4.— Mokh  Begry  variety. 


[Continued  from  page  2  of  cover.] 
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